tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50208905056239349642023-11-16T07:38:44.727-08:00Simone LakeDeep Roots in Christ MinistriesSimone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-80382643777558647282016-03-05T17:12:00.004-08:002016-03-05T17:12:47.604-08:00The Resurrection of Jesus Christ<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Why is the resurrection of Jesus so important?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">The resurrection of Jesus Christ is so crucial and foundational to those who call themselves Christ followers because it is the very root of what we believe.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important aspect of the Christian faith. God who sent His only begotten Son who was crucified, buried in a tomb, resurrected, ascended into heaven where He is currently sitting on the right hand side of God praying. The core of the Christian faith is true today this very minute as it was the day and very minute that Jesus rose from the grave, lingered on earth for a time then joined His Father on the throne.</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeptics" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: windowtext;">Skeptics</span></u></a><span style="color: black;"> then, </span><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeptics" target="_blank"><u><span style="color: windowtext;">Skeptics</span></u></a><span style="color: black;"> now:</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Apostle Paul, the dominate writer of the New Testament shares the truth and sound doctrine of this argument in his first letter to the church at Corinth.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Paul focuses on Christ resurrection and makes it very clear to those who have questions, the doubters and the skeptics of who Christ is and what Christ did. In Chapter 15 Paul builds on his thesis by giving step by step understanding;</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">He starts off with the 1) Fact of Christ’s resurrection, then 2) the importance of Christ’s resurrection, 3) the order of the resurrection 4) the moral implications of Christ’s resurrection and 5) ending with the bodies of the resurrected dead.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Paul declares that; “</span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Paul does not leave any room for those people in Corinth who continue to question or to those who read these scriptures now. The facts are before the reader, bringing them to a place of selecting truth or fallacy. <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Gary Habermas says<b> “</b></span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Skeptics must provide more than alternative theories to the Resurrection; they must provide first-century evidence for those theories.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">There are several documented facts that prove t</span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">he resurrection of Jesus.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">And because</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">historians look for hypotheses that best fit the available facts. The hypothesis that fits all the facts is the best explanation. Once all the hypotheses have been weighed against the facts, we have confidence in the explanation that outweighs the rest. The resurrection of Jesus is the best explanation of the facts!</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Non Christians, Historians,</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Enemies</span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> believed in the Resurrection</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Jesus’ death by Roman crucifixion is one of the most well attested events of ancient history. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Recorded in all four New Testament Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) as well as Non-Christian sources such as; <i>Josephus-A Jewish Historian,</i></span></span><i><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mara Bar-Serapion Tacitus-A Roman Historian,</span></span></i><i><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Jewish Talmud</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, <i><span>Lucian of Samosata, Greek Satirist;</span></i></span></span><i><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Syrian prisoner</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">So even though many did not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Son of Man, there was evidence in their writings that prove Jesus was resurrected.</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Jesus’ appearances to the disciples and others</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Nearly all scholars who study Jesus’ resurrection agree that Jesus’ disciples believed he had appeared to them raised from the dead, following his crucifixion. The conclusion comes from data that suggest two main factors. The disciples themselves claimed the risen Jesus appeared to them. The disciples were transformed from frightened individuals who went into hiding and denial at Jesus’ death to bold witnesses proclaiming the resurrection of the Lord. These two points are confirmed by Paul’s testimony about the disciples, the oral tradition of the early church, and the written works of the early churc</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1167633991__ednref7"><span style="color: black;">h</span></a><span style="color: black;">.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span><span style="color: black;">Peter, Paul, and John wrote their own personal experiences throughout scripture.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Paul shares in I Corinthians 15 his account.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">In addition, these appearances were established by the written tradition, including the Gospels and works of the apostolic and early church fathers (Origen, Polycarp, Tertullian)</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Not to mention Jesus appearing to the men on the road and others.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">These points clearly proves that the tomb was indeed empty due to the Resurrection of</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">All four Gospels report that the tomb of Jesus was discovered empty by women. The culture of the Jewish society, a women’s testimony would not be honored in a court of law. So if someone was making this up as a false claim, that person would use male witnesses that would be honored in that culture.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">The fact that the gospels document the women as witnesses is a fact that points to the tomb being actually empty due to the resurrection of Christ.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Enemies testified of a empty tomb. If someone does not support facts as being true, then why would they mention it as such? </span><span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">If testimony about an event or person is given by a source who does not sympathize with the person, message, or cause then there is reason to believe the testimony is true/</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Some of these sources include:</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Justin Martyr’s</span><i><span style="color: black;"> Dialogue with Trypho 108, T</span></i><span style="color: black;">ertullian’s</span><i><span style="color: black;"> Spectacles 30,</span></i><span style="color: black;">Jewish Toledoth – “he was not in his grave” </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Matthew 28: 11-15 "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.‘”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">The most plausible explanation covering this historically reliable information is that Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and was resurrected from the grave.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Call to Action:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Now that you have come, you have read and you have seen, will you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ?<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Will you believe in Him as your personal Lord and Savior?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">This month as the world annually celebrates Resurrection Sunday, will you join in celebration through demonstration of bowing your knee, humbly confessing sins and completely serving Jesus Christ as your Lord</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Resources:</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">1.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Mary Jo Sharp-</span></span><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Confident Christianity <a href="http://www.confidentchristianity.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.<wbr></wbr></span>confidentchristianity.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">2.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">International Society of Women in Apologetics ISWA-</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.womeninapologetics.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.womeninapologetics.com</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">3.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span> </span><i>I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist</i></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> by Norman Geisler, Frank Turek.</span><span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">4</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">. <i><span>The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by </span></i><span>Gary Habermas, Mike Licona</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">NOTE:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Firm Foundations</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> is published every first Wednesday of the month in the Rim Review</span></span></div>
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<span><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For more info on upcoming classes:<span> </span></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.simonelake.com</span></a></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">About the Author:</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">of Church on Randall Place</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">), <span> </span>Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. </span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">A graduate of Golden Gate Theological Seminary, Simone holds a Master’s degree in Theology Studies and Apologetics Certificate from BIOLA University.<span> </span>She is an active member of International Women in Apologetics.<span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Visit her on: </span></span><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www<wbr></wbr>.simonelake.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0072c6;">http://deeprootsinchrist.<wbr></wbr>sermon.net</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span></span></span><a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #0072c6; font-size: x-small;">http://womeninapologetics.com</span></span></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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</span><br /></span><br />Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-56516650334062836372016-02-14T07:22:00.005-08:002016-02-14T07:22:52.112-08:00What is in a Heart?<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Answering the question above, it depends on who you ask.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">If you ask a doctor, he would give you detailed information on the actual physical </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">human heart, what it does, how it functions and what happens when it is injured or does not function.</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Asking Medical Staff</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The physical human heart is a muscular organ with the major function of pumping blood. The blood is pumped throughout the many blood vessels within the human body. The heart completes this task with repeated and rhythmic contractions. The circulatory system that includes the vertebrates is also working within the system of all the body organs to perform vital functions to accomplish continued life of the human being.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When our heart beats, every single beat involves five major stages called the cardiac cycle. The cardiac cycle refers to all the events related to the results of the beginning of each heartbeat. The five stages include the first two, the “ventricular filling” stage and the last three involve moving the blood flow from the ventricles to the artery and the aorta. Throughout this cardiac cycle, valves are opened or closed, blood flows or ceases to flow, the heart is relaxed or contracted, the ventricular are empty or full, and blood pressure increases or decreases. All this happens in a beautifully orchestrated rhythmic beat. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Unnoticed to the naked eye, the healthy heart inside our bodies produces a healthy reproduction that flows not only in our bodies but overflows outwardly to our emotions, feelings, attitude, etc.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">There are main functions of the heart that help circulate the oxygen and blood. The right side of the heart is to collect de-oxygenated blood, in the right atrium from the body then pump it through the tricuspid valve, the right ventricle and into the lungs. The left side of the heart collects oxygenated blood from the lungs and from the left atrium the blood moves to the left ventricle, through the valve then pumps it out to the body. The muscle wall surrounding the left ventricle is thicker than the wall surrounding the right ventricle due to the higher force needed to pump the blood through the systemic circulation. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">A heart attack happens with there is an interruption of blood supply that flows to the heart. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart is hindered and the circulation of the blood of the heart muscle that once delivered steady supply of blood fails. This blockage, a hardened mass, is commonly due to coronary artery failure which results in a restricted blood supply, oxygen shortage and symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating and other symptoms that occur. If this is left untreated for a sufficient time, it can cause heart cells that will die, severe damage of heart muscle tissue and even death of the individual</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In regards to a healthy heart, once the de-oxygenated blood becomes oxygenated, the whole heart awakens. Blood flow, oxygen, lungs, valves, etc. all work together with the purpose to wake up the heart and to keep it pumping.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So there you have it. <span> </span>The</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"> detailed information on the actual physical human heart, what it does, how it functions and what happens when it is injured or does not function.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">But there is a deeper understanding of the heart. Something more meaningful and something that is focused on eternity</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Asking Jesus</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">In contrast to asking a doctor or medical staff, “What is in a heart?”,Jesus shares a whole different answer to what a doctor would answer.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus’ focus relates to the inward soul, the spirit man.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Matter of fact, many people relate to Jesus as a </span><i><span style="color: black;">Spiritual Doctor</span></i><span style="color: black;"> because He is the one that fixes broken hearts not only right now on earth, but for eternity in our lives after. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">When studying the following New Testament Greek passages of the Bible (observation, interpretation, application).<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">One would go to the originally languages of the Greek for deeper meaning.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">In the Biblical Greek, the word heard is defined as;</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life, the centre and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors, of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence, of the will and character, of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions, of <span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Depending on the translation, there are over 30 <span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">passages in the Bible where Jesus Himself speaks of the heart. </span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Here are some;</span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">“</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Blessed <span>are</span></span><span style="color: black;"> the pure in heart: for they will see God. </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">For where your treasure is, there will your heart</span><span style="color: black;"> be also. </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">Take my yoke (burdens) upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you will find rest for your soul.</span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"> You will love the Lord your God with all your heart</span><span style="color: black;">, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">When Jesus shares with groups of people, regarding their heart condition and the outcome of the heart many things are included; emotions, illnesses, burdens, short comings, etc. <span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">He is offering Himself to ALL people as the healing source for those things. </span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">He is saying that there is hope for those truly searching and seeking for a healthy heart in Jesus. </span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">As Valentine’s Day approaches this month, I encourage you to exam your heart.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">As you would go to a physical doctor to exam your natural heart for defect, disease and malfunction, I encourage you to go to the Spiritual Doctor who is Jesus, to evaluate your spiritual heart of defect, disease and malfunction.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Jesus will develop a pure heart within you.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">He will train you to be lowly in heart, bless you with a pure heart and most importantly, love the Lord your God with all of your heart. Seek Jesus the only Spiritual Doctor who can heal your heart and soul.</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Resources:</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">1.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Heartbeat Lessons of the Cross by Simone Lake- located on facebook </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Deep Roots in Christ Ministry page</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">2.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.BlueLetterBible.org</span></a> – for Biblical language study </span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">3. <span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Encyclopedia</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">4. <span> </span><span> </span><u>Scriptures:</u></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Matthew 5:8, 6:1, 11:29, 22:37</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">NOTE:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Firm Foundations</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> is published every first Wednesday of the month in the Rim Review</span></span></div>
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<span><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></u></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For more info. on classes, contact:<span> </span></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.simonelake.com</span></a></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">About the Author:</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">of Church on Randall Place</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">), Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. </span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">A graduate of Golden Gate Theological Seminary, Simone holds a Master’s degree in Theology Studies, Apologetics Certificate from BIOLA University and active member of International Women in Apologetics.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Visit her on: </span></span><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www<wbr></wbr>.simonelake.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://deeprootsinchrist.<wbr></wbr>sermon.net</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></span><a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #0072c6; font-size: x-small;">http://womeninapologetics.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn</span></span></div>
Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-53596791344488186002016-01-08T09:43:00.003-08:002016-01-08T09:43:51.513-08:00The Joy of Christ Coming to us Daily and Personally
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This
time of year most people are thinking of creative ways to keep their New Year
resolutions. For me…my heart pulse is in the joy I embrace with the lessons I
learned, soaking in the scriptures of the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This wonderful joy of clinging to Christ during
Advent, for the whole month of December, has given me a freshness of
reflection, hope and encouragement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I
know Christ HAS come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise to His holy
Name!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I
know Christ WILL come. Praise to His holy Name!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Yet
in a world full of continual constant distractions from every direction imaginable,
my ongoing travail is to keep my eyes fixed on Christ for He has come in my
daily life circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Review:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As you remember, from my December Firm Foundations
article, Advent One and Advent Two… we learned that Advent by definition is that
arrival of a notable person = Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Christ’s f<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">irst coming, as documented in scriptures
declaring this truth of prophecies from Genesis to Malachi in the Old Testament.
These give clear direction on how to look for and see Christ our coming Messiah
foretold. Experts found over 350 Biblical fulfilled prophecies of the coming of
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a </span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">mathematical probability </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of 9 prophecies
coming true, it is like these documentations of Advent one of Christ coming are
1/10 to 76th power. 1/10 to 76th power is like picking the same grain of sand
four times in succession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise in
the New Testament, d</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">uring
the time of His first coming, at the Last Supper, Christ along with His
disciples shared His desire to eat and drink with them when He sees them again
in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After his crucifixion,
after his resurrection and after His current position of intercessor on the
right hand side of God, His disciples with eat with Him again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And be with Him for eternity.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
Praise to His holy Name!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Christ
Comes to us Daily:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Not
only does Christ come to me daily, He STAYS with me daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In His coming He is active and concerned
about my everyday day life and circumstances…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In my tears as I seek Him early in the morning, in my spiritual grief as
my heart aches for the rebellion of His bride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In my disappointments as others let me down, in my sins as I wrestle in
prayer that I stay unspotted from the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In my weariness as I crouch down in a metaphorical trench of spiritual
warfare being plummeted by artillery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
times of sorrow and joy. In times of fastings/ prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In times of exhaustion due to pulling- all-nighters
with deep prayers, studying/ preparing for Bible teachings/ speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In times of emotional burdens of the
spiritual realm. In times of spiritual disasters of others as I continue to
model the servant quality of Christ offering myself 24/7 as a living drink
offering sacrifice by serving others and the body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">These
daily times are times and moments where not only do I find Christ but He finds
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And
He STAYS with me as my biggest and highest Encourager, Supporter Strengthener and
Friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">My quest this 2016 year has been motivated and
provoked by the lessons I learned in 2015 Advent, seeing a fresh new deeper way
His active presence of coming in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am not satisfied at the level I was in 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strive and press on to a deep level of
knowing Christ and to make Him known to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A wrestling if you will between my Adamic nature of sin and my
successful victorious soul of a new creation in Christ completely transformed
as His friend and heir of the Savior of the World.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">As
the Psalmist declares, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Deep calls to
deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone
over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By day the Lord commands his
steadfast love and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my
life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And
Apostle Paul tells us “ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But it is
written, What no eye has seen, nor ear hear, nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love Him, these things God has reveled to
us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of
God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2016<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New Year <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So
here’s to another year of:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">PRAISE</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> –Learning,
memorizing and saturating myself with hymns and beautiful melodies lifting up
my voice to the only Triune God, worthy of all praise!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">REPENTANCE- </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Turning from sins
that create splashes of tears that fall on my cheeks because of the pain I have
caused my God, my family, my friends, strangers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">ASK-</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Hours of simple
quietness and extreme aggressive thundering, wrestling on the throne in prayer
on behalf of others and myself<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">YIELD-</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> submitting in
obedience to all God has for me including lack of faith by worry and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">just
giving all to Him, trusting in Him completely<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">FOLLOW
ME: <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This
quest and end game of mine is not far reaching for a heart that is 100%
willing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me ask you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you willing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is not a respecter of persons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, there is not one ounce of
prejudice, segregation, separation or favoritism in the heart of God. He is our
creator, He loves us and if you study and read the life of Christ (God himself)
on this earth, you will see that He LOVED the marginalized, those that were
pushed aside from society, looked over, cheated against, hated because of skin
color, bank account, handicapped, where they live or being poor. Or, those
abused in every way imaginable, the widows, the orphans, the poor, the smelly,
the mentally and emotionally unstable…and more and God loves everyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do I know this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is because He sent His only begotten Son
to die on the cross for EVERYONE and to give them great hope in Him the famous
star and Savior of our Advent!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Oh
dear friend, it does not get any better than this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Follow me as I follow Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make your my quest equal to mine…together we
will dive deep in the escalades of the mystery of Christ and His sustaining and
mighty right hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning, practicing
and applying Christ as a reality in our daily life, daily moments and
circumstances of situations COME!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="tgc"><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Resources/Scriptures:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></u></span></div>
<span class="tgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ISWA:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>International Women in Apologetics - womeninapologetics.com<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="tgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">John Piper:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MrsEavesItalic; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MrsEavesRoman;">Dawning
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MrsEavesItalic; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">of </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MrsEavesRoman;">Indestructible Joy-Daily Readings for Advent<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Matt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>26:26-29<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Psalm <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>42:7-8<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I Corinthians 2: 9-10<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
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<span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">NOTE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firm Foundations is published every first
week of the month in the Rim Review and archived on </span><a href="http://simonelake.blogspot/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">simonelake.blogspot</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="tgc"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
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<span class="tgc"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Calendar:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>www.simonelake.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span class="tgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Prayer
Class- starts Sunday Jan. 31<sup>st</sup> – 411 Chapel<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span class="tgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ephesians
Study – 411 Chapel- January<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span class="tgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Conversational
Sign Language Course -411 Chapel- February<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span class="tgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Apologetics
Class-411 Chapel- February<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span><span class="tgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Christian
Apologetics – Northern Arizona Bible Institute February</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="tgc"><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">About the Author:</span></u></b><span class="tgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Simone Lake is a Christ follower,
bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">of
Church on Randall Place</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">),</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Bible teacher and a passionate
pray-er. </span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">A graduate of Golden Gate Theological Seminary, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Simone holds a
Master’s degree in Theology Studies, Apologetics Certificate from BIOLA
University and active member of International Women in Apologetics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Visit her on: </span></span><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.simonelake.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="color: #0072c6; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></a><span style="color: #0072c6; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/">http://womeninapologetics.com</a></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"></span></span><br />
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Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-1437102434330136272015-12-06T06:12:00.003-08:002015-12-06T06:12:23.501-08:00Advent One and Advent Two<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Advent One and Advent</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Two</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">After our wonderful meals of Thanksgiving and blessed times with family and friends, November is the month that hopefully leaves us with hearts of gratitude, to an almighty God from whom all blessings flow.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Apostle Paul says it well to the church at Corinth…</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">"</span><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."</span></i><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">ADVENT</span></span></u></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">So Thanksgiving, is a great prelude to the next calendar event which is Advent.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">For those who have not heard, Advent by definition is that arrival of a notable person – Christ-with </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://beta.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c6000e;">t</span></a><span style="color: black;">he time frame </span><span style="color: windowtext;">beginning</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext;">four</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext;">Sundays</span><span style="color: black;"> prior to </span><span style="color: windowtext;">Christmas</span><span style="color: black;">.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">So starting this year, Sunday Nov. 29</span><sup><span style="color: black;">th</span></sup><span style="color: black;"> will be the first day of Advent continuing for many days until Sunday December 20</span><sup><span style="color: black;">th.</span></sup><span style="color: black;"> During this time, Christians around the world </span><span style="color: windowtext;">observe</span><span style="color: black;"> this sacred occasion as a </span><span style="color: windowtext;">season</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext;">of</span><span style="color: black;"> remembrance, reflection, expectation, </span><span style="color: windowtext;">prayer</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext;">and</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext;">fasting</span><span style="color: black;">, acknowledging the coming and second coming of Christ.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">ADVENT ONE</span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">The first coming of Christ we see many documented scriptures declaring the truth of His coming in the Old Testament.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">We see the manifold prelude of prophecies broadcasted throughout a timeframe from Genesis to Malachi, giving clear direction on how to look for and see Christ the coming Messiah.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Some experts have suggested that there are over 350 Biblical fulfilled prophecies of the coming Messiah.</span><span style="color: #3a3c3f;"> </span></span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;">The fact of prophecy is one of the strongest evidences that clearly confirm that the Bible is inspired by God.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">There are a multitude of specific predictions that are evident of the fulfillments of Advent One or points to the future fulfillment of Advent Two. Scriptural accounts of prophecy are so precisely accurate that if you compared it from a mathematical probability, one would easily see that,</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"> the probability of 9 prophecies coming true of Christ is 1/10 to 76th power. 1/10 to 76th power is like picking the same grain of sand four times in succession. Each and every prophecy in the Old Testament of Christ came true.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">In the New Testament we see one of the first accounts of the coming of Christ</span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><div style="line-height: normal;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">“And the angel answered and said to her, ‘</span><span><span style="color: black;">The</span></span><span style="color: black;"> Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’ “ </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mary and Elizabeth’s visit was filled with joy, excitement and blessings.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Elizabeth exclaims, “But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Mary would come to visit with Christ in her womb.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Likewise the shepherds were overjoyed that the angels…a multitude of heavenly hosts came to them…praising, singing and saying </span><i><span style="color: black;">“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men!”</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></i></span></strong><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.</span></span></i><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">They CAME!</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">“And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">In the gospel of John, this author echoes both Advent One and Advent Two.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.</span><sup><span style="color: black;">” </span></sup></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Solidifying the Deity and what some may call the Incarnation of Christ, John tells us that </span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.</span><sup><span style="color: black;">”</span></sup></span></i><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Christ himself tells us His reason for coming…so save us sinners</span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance”</span></span></i></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">And</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill”</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">ADVENT TWO</span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">During the Last Supper, with Christ and His disciples, his desire was to eat this Passover meal them before He went to suffer on the cross.</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">He mentions drinking with them again when He sees them again</span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><i><span style="color: black;">“ </span></i></span></strong><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. </span><sup><span style="color: black;"> </span></sup><span style="color: black;">For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’ ”</span></span></i><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Jesus Christ promised them that He is coming again to receive them as His own</span></span></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">John publicizes loud and clear Advent Two “</span></span></strong><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, </span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,’ </span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;">says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This Advent season, my hope for you is to look and see that Christ has come to you in Advent One and come to you in Advent Two.<span> </span>So while Christ has committed to come to you</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I invite you to come to Christ</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The response to COME is to GO</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Go and know the risen Savior, currently sitting on the right hand side of God.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Go and know the Redeemer of the world</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Go and know the God and Creator of the world that will call you His friend and heir to his kingdom</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Come and Go!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><strong><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">RESOURCES</span></span></u></strong><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Luke - Chapter One</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Luke - Chapter Two</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Luke 5:32</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">John - Chapter One</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 5:17</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 1:7</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Calendar:</span></u></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Check calendar to attend a class or workshop:<span> </span><span> </span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c6000e;">www.simonelake.com</span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Check KMOG – Focus on Faith to hear Simone</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></u></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">About the Author:</span></em></span></u></b><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake (of Church on Randall Place), passionate pray-er and Bible teacher.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">A graduate of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Simone holds a Master’s degree in Theology and an Apologetics Certificate from BIOLA.<span> </span>For over seven years, she w</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">rites Firm Foundations, published in the Rim Review, every first Wed. of the month. <u>Visit her:</u> <u> </u></span></span></em><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #c6000e; font-size: x-small;"><em>www.deeprootsinchrist.com</em></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></em></span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #c6000e; font-size: x-small;"><em>www.simonelake.com</em></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">, FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn.<span> </span></span></em></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span></span>Audios available at:<span> </span></span></em></span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #c6000e; font-size: x-small;"><em>http://deeprootsinchrist.<wbr></wbr>sermon.net</em></span></span></a><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span>Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-78265343294843430522015-11-07T06:09:00.001-08:002015-11-07T06:09:34.888-08:00The Reliability of the Bible<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<i><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“The Bible contains truth found nowhere else. Human reason may discover certain truths about God. But the revealed truth of the Bible exceeds these so as to defy comparison. One may exhaust the meaning of the contents of other books, but not that of the Bible.”</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br />- Herschel Hobbs</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The question still lingering in the hearts of the unbeliever, doubter or the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span>just-don’t-know-ers is…<span> </span>‘How do you know the Bible is true?’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The answer to that question is that we can trust the accuracy of the Bible, through research and study, we can hold up a variety of witnesses as evidence to confirm biblical content. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">There are four major facts that we will look at that solidify and confirm that the Bible is true and reliable and applicable for today.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">FACT #1 –Manuscripts <span> </span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">There are more manuscripts, <span>earlier </span>manuscripts, and <span>more accurately copied </span>manuscripts of the New Testament than any other book from the ancient world!” Dr. Norman Geisler</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This statement is valid for the Old Testament as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Great numbers of manuscripts enable scholars to have a more accurate reconstruction of the biblical text by cross-referencing. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- <span>There are <span>5700+<b> </b></span>Greek partial and complete manuscripts of the New Testament </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">-There are 10,000 Latin manuscripts</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">-<span>There are <span>19,000+<b> </b></span>non-Greek manuscripts including Coptic, Syriac, and other Middle <span> </span>eastern and European languages.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For comparison sake, we can look at a number of surviving copies of other ancient manuscripts </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">-Homer’s lliad=1, 757</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">-Writings of Herodtus (the father of history)=83</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">-Plato’s Tetralogies=210</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">-Tacitus (the greatest ancient Roman historian, also a contemporary of Jesus) Annals and <span> </span>Histories =31</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Based on all this historical and </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">archaeology evidence, experts tell us that <span>the entire New Testament, except for <span> </span>11 verses, can be reconstructed just from the writings of the early church Fathers.<span> </span></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">FACT # 2 - </span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Archaeology<span></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Archaeology is considered one of the external tests for Biblical Reliability.<span> </span>It is one of the strongest evidences that clearly confirm that the Bible is inspired by God and is predictive prophecy with multitude specific predictions that have been fulfilled or points to future fulfillment.<span> </span>The New Testament has been cited by over 30 non Christian writers through</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">historical documents and/or confirmed by archaeological research. There are over 60 confirmed historical details in the Gospel of John and over 80 confirmed historical details in the book of Acts.<span> </span>Not to mention the historical resources of: Tel Gezer, Ebla Tablets, <span>Ipuwer Papyrus, Jezebel Seal, </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Silver</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Bowl of Artaxerxes I .<span> </span>And the</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> historical and biblical accounts of Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, <span>Crucifixion Victim ,The Nazareth Decree </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span>Gallio and Plato’s Inscription </span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">FACT #3-Prophecy</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">There are two types of prophecy found in the Bible</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Specific Non-Messianic Prophecies that do not relate directly to Jesus but to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God’s overall nation and people and then specific Messianic prophecies that relate to Jesus Christ and His position as Savior of the world. The history of this Israel nation, was prophesied <span> </span>throughout the authors of the Old Testament writings </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">about the ancient Jewish nation.<span> </span>One specific event was how they would be conquered twice and that God’s people would be carried off as slaves each time. This prophecy, to this day is completed to fulfillment over 3500 years of history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The fact of prophecy is one of the strongest evidences that clearly confirms that the Bible is inspired by God with multitude specific predictions as evidence that have been fulfilled or points to the future fulfillment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Specific Messianic Prophecies deal directly to Jesus Christ our Messiah and Savior and Lord.<span> </span>They are many and I encourage you to do an extensive study on them all. But due to a limitation of space, here are a few prophecies of Jesus Christ;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Seed of the women (Genesis 3:15), Offspring of Abraham (Genesis 12:3) Tribe of Judah<span> </span>(Genesis 49:10) From the house of David (Jeremiah 23:5-6) Son of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) Jesus Christ would be proclaimed as King (Zechariah 9:9) and Jesus Christ would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For comparison sake let’s look at the <span>Mathematical Probabilities of the prophecies of Christ </span>The probability of 9 prophecies coming true of Christ is 1/10 to 76th power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1/10 to 76th power is like picking the same grain of sand four times in succession. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">According to the whole universe, there are only 10 to 60th power atoms <span> </span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">FACT #4-Science and Scripture</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Hailed as one worthy of many prizes in science, Herbert Spencer greatest achievement in his field was his discovery determining that everything exists into one of five categories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Spencer said, “Everything fits into one of these categories, time, force, action, space, matter,” and was hailed by the scientific community.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In the Bible, the very first chapter and verse gives us all these five categories long before Herbert discovered them in 1903.<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 1:1 contains the five areas of Science. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Time: “In the beginning…” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Force: “God” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Motion: “created” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Space: “heavens” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Matter: “Earth”<b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">We can see through the pages of the Bible both Old Testament and New Testament,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">scripture after scripture as evidence of this science</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 15:41 - </span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars<span>; </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">for one star differs from another star </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">in glory.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">We can research and find that there are no two stars alike, not to mention the uniqueness of the sun and moon.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The list goes on and on:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Job 36:27-28 - explains the water cycle and rain</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Amos 9:6 - explains oceanic evaporation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 40:22-</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> describes the roundness and c<span>ircle of the earth</span><i>,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2 Samuel 22:16 </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- discusses the ocean floor called “oceanic trenches”.<u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 17:12 – gives the important number of days a newborn boy should be circumcised Based on vitamin K and the important blood clotting element.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Will you rely on the Reliable One?</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">It is vital to your eternal life for you to see that the Bible IS a reliable source. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">It is a source that you can take and receive as truth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So will you?<span> </span>I hope and pray that you do.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Resources:</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The International Society of Women in Apologetics</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nelson Glueck,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. Joseph Holden</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. Norman Geisler</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Herschel Hobbs</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Answers in Genesis</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Craig Blomberg</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Colin Hemer</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">NOTE: Firm Foundations article is published every first Wednesday of the month in Rim Review newspaper</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">About the Author:</span></u></b><span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. </span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">A graduate of Golden Gate Theological Seminary, Simone holds a Master’s degree in Theology Studies and Apologetics Certificate from BIOLA University. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">She is a well sought after speaker and teacher. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Visit her on: </span></span><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.simonelake.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn</span></span></div>
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Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-56247588578451885962015-11-03T03:08:00.001-08:002015-11-03T03:08:31.384-08:00In View of the World<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Lately in the news, we have seen all kinds of changes, happenings, disasters, rumblings and catastrophes around the world.<span> </span>Along with each of these comes a variety of opinions and responses in every type of assortment including political, social, culture, medical, financial and more.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Currently, our newspapers, television, and many forms of media have covered all kinds of everything, including; many political candidates, each one with different viewpoints on different matters, petitioning the America votes so they can become the next president of the United States.<span> </span>We have seen and heard all kinds of choices offered to women in regards to her own specific body and health not to mention the specific body, health and life of the unborn baby inside her womb<span> </span>We have observed the national deficit rise in astronomical figures affecting us all as we are practically effected by the tricking down effect. Crimes have increased worldwide, breakdowns of individuals’ emotional and mental state due to the magnitude of stress in their lives has increased.<span> </span>Devastations of natural disasters including; floods, earthquakes volcanoes continue to wreak homes, countries, areas effecting devastating results on people and families. <span> </span>People forces out of their home and countries fleeing violence and seeking protection for their families only to be rejected by the nearest countries they traveled to for safety.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s face it, there are problems worldwide</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The reality is enormous! <span> </span><span> </span>The list is endless!<span> </span>The pain is raw! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">How do we filter all these world events, (not only current events but historical events) through reason, our thoughts, and our beliefs? The way each of us view the world has tremendous power and influence on the decisions and behaviors that we make in our personal lives.<span> </span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What’s a World View?</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">James Sire states <i>“A worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions that we hold about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being.”</i>– James Sire, <i>The Universe Next Door.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">A p</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">resupposition, are beliefs that are tacitly assumed beforehand at the beginning of a line of argument; to suppose or assume beforehand; take for granted in advance</span><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What is your view of the world?<span> </span>It depends on who you ask from around the world.<span> </span>Everyone has a viewpoint, a philosophy, a set of assumptions whether you realize it or not.<span> </span>We make assumptions based on how we our influence from the world around us.<span> </span>These form our own thoughts and our own opinions leading us to decisions that influence our whole lives. </span></div>
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<u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Christian World View</span></u></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Developing a Christian worldview is important for the Christian because it tempers the way we interact with and assess the fallen world in which we live.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> - Gregory Alan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Our world is broken…there is only one help. God! <span> </span>He is </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">the creator of the world, He declared it, formed it and spoke it into being.<span> </span>The Psalmist writes -</span><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: #141823; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">From the Christ follower’s perspective, our viewpoint is based on the creation, fall and redemption of mankind.<span> </span>From the first words of the Old Testament <span> </span>in Genesis 1:1 we can see that not only did God create the heavens and the earth but we continue to read, we see how He created mankind.<span> </span>In Genesis chapter 3 we see how mankind feels and in Romans 5 we read how sin entered the world along with death.<span> </span>Then the glorious redemption, a way out of each person who has missed the mark and fallen short of the glory of God, we are all delivered from this mess through one Man Christ Jesus.<span> </span>There is complete hope in Christ.</span></div>
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<u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Your Turn</span></u></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So I beg the question, what do you believe?<span> </span>What is your view of the world?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span>Where is that view coming from?<span> </span>Is it coming from the media and culture of this day?<span> </span>Or is your view point coming from the pages of the Bible?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I implore you to seek the knowledge of Christ through the pages of your Bible.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Receive all that He has to say, and follow Him.<span> </span>He will bring salvation to a lost world,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">hope to the hopeless, comfort for those in sorrow, love to the rejected</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” <span> </span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Hosea tells us, one of the Old Testament prophets (whose name means Salvation) offers the possibility of salvation to a people and nation if only they will turn from idolatry back to God.<span> </span><span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Come and know the risen Savior, currently sitting on the right hand side of God.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Come and know the Redeemer of the world</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Come and know the God and Creator of the world that who will call you His friend and heir to his kingdom</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Come!</span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Resources:</span></u></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- The Holy Bible:<span> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Dr. John Mark Reynolds –Professor </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">-James Sire-<i>The Universe Next Door.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">-Mary Jo Sharp- Confident Christianity</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">-Gregory Alan Thornbury – Union University (SBC), School of Theology & Missions</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Calendar: </span></u></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> go to </span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0072c6;">www.simonelake.com</span></span></a><span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">for more info</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Women’s Bible Study- <i>I & II Timothy and Titus-</i>Church on Randall Place.</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Apologetics and Christian Worldview- Payson Christian School</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">About the Author:</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, passionate pray-er and Bible teacher.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">A graduate of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Simone holds a Master’s degree in Theology and Apologetics Certificate from BIOLA.<span> </span>She w</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">rites this Firm Foundations article, published every first Wed. of the month. </span></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Visit her: </span></span></u><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #0072c6; font-size: x-small;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #0072c6; font-size: x-small;">www.simonelake.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn.<span> </span>Audios available at:<span> </span></span></span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #0072c6; font-size: x-small;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">NOTE:</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span> </span><i>This devotional article is part of Simone's Apologetics Writings. She is a member, speaker, teacher of the </i></span></span><a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/" target="_blank"><strong><i><u><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">International Society of Women in Apologetics (ISWA)</span></span></u></i></strong></a><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></i><a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #0072c6; font-size: x-small;">http://womeninapologetics.com</span></span></i></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><br id="ecxFontBreak" /><br />Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-25329360678334200972015-11-01T14:23:00.004-08:002015-11-01T14:23:34.307-08:00The Heard-less Ones of Jesus-Part II<div class="ecxMsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So who or what exactly are the heard-less ones?<span> </span>Ok, so maybe I just made up a word…(wordsmiths have that liberty) …never the less, in my last article in August, we discussed the question I often get asked throughout my ministry of serving the church and God’s kingdom... <span> </span><i>“But what about those who have never heard about Jesus.”</i><span> </span>This question usually arises when the topic of afterlife and eternity pops up in a conversation. These “heard-less” ones are not without hearing because of a physical disability but instead they have never heard who Jesus is, so their disability is spiritual.<span> </span>People that have never heard about the gospel of Jesus Christ often have a lot of questions regarding this…even those who have heard but still not sure. The line of reasoning is because God is such a loving God, how could He or would He even allow someone to go to hell for eternity especially if they never heard about Him/Jesus.<span> </span>The implication and false verdict is that God is not fair, not just, or not righteous.<span> </span>So then, why should I, a skeptic, doubter, looky loo, outsider, believe in a unfair God much less follow Him.<span> </span>Oh but… au contraire</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">THE MAIN THING IS THE PLAIN THING </span></u></b></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We already established in my last article that Jesus makes the claim that He is the ONLY way to salvation. Then He verifies and solidifies His claim. Thomas representing the disciples asked </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">one of the most important questions to Jesus. <span> </span>A question that we, 2000 thousand years later can personally know, glean and learn from… <i>“</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span>Jesus clearly says <i>“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I just LOVE the way our Savior speaks to us so lovingly, so kind, so PLAIN.<span> </span>If there is any doubt, question or apprehension about who He is, or our position for eternity, He will just plainly tell us, all we need to do is believe. We can trust Him at His word.<span> </span>He is not one to lie, it is not in is origin to do so but He just tells us the truth, He has got nothing to hide. <span> </span>It is the characteristic of the Son of Man, holy human DNA to speak truth only because He is holy and He is God… But those that cannot see are often offended a this</span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Still not convinced?<span> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s look to another Witness...or should I say, The Witness.<span> </span>In the book of Hebrews, the author begins the chapter stating boldly how Jesus is superior over the prophets of the Old Testaments scriptures and over the angels, listing consistently and precisely who</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is:<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He is appointed Heir </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Brightness of God’s glory</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Expressed image of His person</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Upholding all things by the word of His power</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He had purged our sins</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Having become so much better than the angels</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than the angels</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">It is evident that God has appointed and attributed Jesus these characteristics…but then God almighty is a witness of who Christ is because He ordained Him to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Firstborn into the world</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Now if God Himself , maker of heaven and earth and all created things, stands as a witness representing Christ than who dare refute Him? <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Then God gives specific instruction commanding the angels to worship Christ solidifying that Christ</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> is higher than the angels currently ruling and reigning on the right hand side of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Once again, because God stands as a commander over the angels to bow the knee to worship Christ, part of the Trinity, than who dare refute Him?</span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">QUESTION AND VALID ANSWER</span></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s continue our line of questions…</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Question: <span> </span>Aren’t all religions basically the same? <span> </span>Different religions have different views of God and what happens when we die.</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Answer: Jesus already clarified that HE is the only way to salvation. <span> </span>If you are looking for, seeking for salvation, He is the ONLY way. <span> </span>If you are desiring to live a life for eternity with Christ. <span> </span>HE is the ONLY way. <span> </span>If you desire to spend your life worshipping Christ in His holiness forever, He is the ONLY way…There is ONLY one way that leads to life and that is the way of grace=Jesus. <span> </span>100% grace from a loving God, so when our wrong doings outweigh us and deem us as guilty, God ranks over it with supreme grace. <span> </span>As my pastor husband says <i>“When our sin is super, God’s grace is super duper abundant and when our sin is super duper, God’s grace is super duper duper abundant.”</i> <span> </span>Get the equation? <span> </span>Our wrongs, guilts, shortcomings and sins will NEVER EVER EVER out rank the glorious, abundant <span> </span>loving grace of our heavenly Father through our Savior Christ and His precious blood that He willingly shed. NO other religion offers 100% grace, No other one. Instead all other religions is based on works deeds of humans that we can never measure up…in other words working to attain something we can never have for eternity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">YOUR TURN:<span> </span>What are your questions?<span> </span>Ask, seek and you will find Jesus!<span> </span>Search for the answers in the pages of your Bible.</span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Resources:</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- The Holy Bible- John 14:1-6, Hebrews 1</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- Stand to Reason-http://www.str.org/- Dr. Greg Koukl </span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">September– 2015 – Women’s Bible Study:<span> </span><i>I & II Timothy and Titus</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">All are welcome to attend. Tuesday mornings AND evenings</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For more info. contact:</span></u></span><span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span>Church on Randall Place at </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Advent Pro"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1- (928) 476-4249 www.churchonrandallplace.org </span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Email :</span></u></span><span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span></span></span><a href="mailto:deeprootsinchrist@hotmail.com"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0072c6;">deeprootsinchrist@hotmail.com</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, passionate pray-er and Bible teacher.<span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">A graduate of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Simone holds a Master’s degree in Theology and Apologetics Certificate from BIOLA.<span> </span>She w</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">rites this Firm Foundations article, published every first Wed. of the month. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Visit her on: </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.simonelake.com</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">, FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">NOTE:</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span> </span><i>This devotional article is part Simone's Apologetics Writings. She is a member, speaker, teacher of the </i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><strong><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"></span></i></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/" target="_blank"><strong><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">International Society of Women in Apologetics (ISWA)</span></i></strong></a></span><i><span lang="ES" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"> <a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0072c6;">http://womeninapologetics.com</span></a></span></i></span></div>
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Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-45793909131022143322015-08-07T10:22:00.000-07:002015-08-07T10:22:00.331-07:00But What About Those Who Have Never Heard About Jesus<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Often times when I am called upon to speak, teach or share about Jesus, these types of questions are asked…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“What about those who have not heard about Jesus?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span>“Will God punish someone who has never heard about Him?”<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“What if missionaries do not reach that particular tribe in their home land, will they be judged the same way as those who have heard?”<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“What if a person had physical disabilities that hindered their understanding of God?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">As you can see, in my occupation of serving God’s church and people as a whole, many questions will arise when the topic of God and Jesus come up. The short answer to these questions is that God is a merciful, loving and kind God.<span> </span>Being holy first and foremost as well as omnipotent, omnipresent and </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Omnipresent</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He has the answers to all the questions that were ever asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But as I often say to my husband when he speaks in general terms. “I want details.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“I need details.”<span> </span>My goal is to go deeper with more details dealing with important questions as I share in this article and future ones to come.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus’ Claim</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In the gospels there is one of several scenes, <span> </span>that display the tenderness of Christ Jesus and His incredible holiness that is shown through in His awesome loving and comfort. <span> </span>He is speaking to His disciples, comforting them encouraging them to keep their focus on God and on Him, because He is going to heaven to prepare a place for them.<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus makes the claim that He is the ONLY way to salvation.<span> </span>Then verifies and solidifies His claim.<span> </span>It was inconceivable for the disciples to be separated from Him, after being with him, basically 24/7 for the past three years. They longed to be with Jesus and were distraught about His leaving. This scene starts with Jesus encouraging His beloved disciples and ending with Thomas, the spokesman for the group asking Jesus one of the most important questions to mankind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“<i>Do not let your heart be troubled;</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">believe in God, believe also in Me.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">that where I am, there you may be also.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“And you know the way where I am going.”</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">how do we know the way?”</span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">no one comes to the Father but through Me.- </span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">John 14:1-6</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Those that are followers of Jesus as Lord, hold to the above saying as the very core, the very solid foundation of what we not only believe but know to be true as Christians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But yet others may ask…well what about all the other variables in the world?<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Us humans live in a pluralistic world full of a multitude of societies with people of all kinds of social classes, religions, races, etc., yet we are continuing to have different traditions and interests.<span> </span>As the saying goes, “America is the melting pot. And the melting pot is the world.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So how do we factor all of that into the equation?</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Is this claim right? </span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I mentioned earlier that many questions come my way in regards to Christianity and as a servant of most holy God.<span> </span>Some people are actually offended when I tell them that “Jesus is the ONLY way.”<span> </span>They forget that these are not my words but the words of Jesus; therefore I am simple quoting my Savior.<span> </span>However, for those who want to sincerely understand and question who Jesus really is, the answer is found as they study the Bible for themselves, learning the holy truths of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Some people will question Jesus’ claim of being the only way and Him being God.<span> </span>There are usually three camps of thought that people nestle themselves into:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1) Jesus had to be a liar<span> </span><span> </span>OR <span> </span><span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2) Jesus had to be a crazy person who needs to be locked up in a mental institution OR ,</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> the final answer 3)<span> </span>Jesus was and is Lord of all. <span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">All that Jesus claimed was true so He cannot be a liar.<span> </span>Jesus cannot be a lunatic because all of His claims is, was and always will be truth so we must except that Jesus is the final answer as the viewpoint of followers of Jesus who process Christianity as their faith.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Questions, Questions, Questions= Valid Certified Answers</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Questions are good they help understand and lead us to the knowledge that we seek</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">While some people reading this might respond by asking more questions, such as:</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Question:“</span></u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> But what about good, moral people?”</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Answer:</span></u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span>The good person is someone who has never, not at any time since they were born committed or even thought of a moral crime.<span> </span>In other words they have never offended God’s throne.<span> </span>If there was such a person, we would not need Jesus.<span> </span>But because no one can rise and validate that claim to themselves, we can conclude that because no one is good, not one…verifies that we all need Jesus.<span> </span>God is a just and fair One.<span> </span>He offers us Jesus as a pardon for the remission of our sins.<span> </span>So we are responsible to respond to His gracious loving offer through acceptance and praise.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Question:</span></u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> “But I have not committed that many wrong things (sins), why would this apply to me?”</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Answer</span></u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">:<span> </span>Just because we are innocent of the majority of things, still does not prove or validate that we as humans are or can be perfect.<span> </span>From the time we are born to the time we die we are repeat offenders when it comes to sin/wrong doings.<span> </span>God’s justice requires that we are perfect.<span> </span>But you might ask<span> </span>“How can I be perfect?<span> </span>NO ONE is perfect!”<span> </span>But there is more…God knowing we are not perfect provides for us to render us completely guilt free</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To continue, PART II…coming soon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">YOUR TURN:<span> </span>What are your questions?<span> </span>Ask, seek and you will find Jesus!<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Search for the answers in the pages of your Bible.</span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Resources:</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- The Holy Bible- The Gospel of John 14: 1-3</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- Stand to Reason-http://www.str.org/- Dr. Greg Koukl </span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Calendar:</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">August – 2015 – Women’s Bible Study:<span> </span><i>Spiritual Warfare:<span> </span>Overcoming the Enemy.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">All are welcome to attend. Tuesday mornings AND evenings</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For more info. contact:</span></u></span><span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> <span> </span>Church on Randall Place at </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Advent Pro"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1- (928) 476-4249 www.churchonrandallplace.org </span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Email :</span></u></span><span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><a href="mailto:deeprootsinchrist@hotmail.com"><span style="color: #0072c6;">deeprootsinchrist@hotmail.com</span></a></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">About the Author:</span></u></b><span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her on: </span><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.simonelake.com</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">NOTE:</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span> </span><i>This devotional article is part of her series of Apologetics Writings.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">Simone is currently completing her studies in Apologetics at Biola University </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">and is a member and speaker of the </span></i><a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/" target="_blank"><strong><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;">International Society of Women in Apologetics (ISWA)</span></i></strong></a><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span lang="ES" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">http://womeninapologetics.com</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br id="ecxFontBreak" /><br />Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-89193119231512160612015-07-21T13:09:00.005-07:002015-07-21T13:15:13.800-07:00Factual Account of Jesus vs Historical Jesus<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Last month, in my monthly article of Firm Foundations, I used a true story analogy of a women who was a victim of a crime. This criminal had stolen her identity and too much </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">avail had a difficult time amidst all the lies declaring Her true identity. No matter how much she provided correct documentation and valid evidence to disprove the lies, the end result were some people believed her based on her evidence and some people doubted her, because skeptics and critics even though they had knowledge and understanding of the same true evidence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I liken that situation to the situation of those believing, or not believing in Jesus</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Do you personally believe in the Messiah Jesus Christ? Do you believe in the true accounts of who He is The One who died on the cross, shed His blood and has been resurrected currently sitting on the right hand side of God at this very moment, praying for the saints and rules and reigns for eternity</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Some people are skeptics and critics when it comes to believing, receiving and following in Jesus. These doubters not only disbelieve scripture, and eye witness accounts, but they question Jesus’ claims Himself, distorting the true accounts of who. This philosophy did not just happen recently in the 21<sup>st</sup> century. The first quest for a historical Jesus begin in the 19<sup>th</sup> century under the German liberalism movement. It died with WWI along with classical liberalism the new terminology. Back then, the liberalism focus went after a dogmatic theology and supernatural events. In 1950’s the second quest arose again, claiming that the knowledge of history and the faith based on factual evidence was not a needed thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The 3<sup>rd</sup> quest happened in 1970’s in particular the 1980’s. Includes views on Jesus as a person who fit into 1<sup>st</sup> century Palestine only having a Jewish background.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What is “The Historical Jesus “ ?</span></u></b></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The</span></span><span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> term "historical Jesus" refers to an individual or a group of people and their attempt to "reconstruct the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth by critical historical methods", in contrast to Christological definitions ('the dogmatic Christ') and other Christian accounts of Jesus ('the Christ of faith')".</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For centuries…skeptics have tried to reconstruct, rearrange and re-identify who Jesus is,</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">yet the scriptures clearly states in the writings of Hebrew that <i>“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever</i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hebrews 13:8</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So when asking yourself in which side to believe… factual accounts of Jesus versus the historical Jesus, the answers lie in some questions that would help you to clarify on which side you stand. Do you stand on the side of believing that Jesus in the Messiah? Or do you stand on the side of the critics adapting a Historical Philosophy. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Are the Gospel accurate historical records or merely religious propaganda? Did Jesus really claim to be God, and how do we know if He is? </span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Deity of Christ</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Who do you say that I am? This is Jesus’ question to Peter when the critics of the day questioned Him. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Marks account states, “ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ. ‘ ” Luke’s account states, “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said, ‘ The Christ of God.’ ”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus begs the answer to this <u>question</u> and those following Him answered the question properly. Let us look at Jesus and additional scripture </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What else did Jesus say about Himself? </span></div>
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<em><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"All things have been handed over to me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. -</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Mark 14:61-62</span></em></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Critics do not accept the claim and factual truth that Jesus made declaring He is God. Here are some scripture accounts that refute the doubt that the critics and skeptics have.</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus clearly declares who He is.</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Resurrection</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Although most critics doubt who Christ is, His resurrection and the evidence of the gospel accounts. Some critics accept Paul’s writings in the Bible over the gospels, because </span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Apostle Paul and his writings are a valid source to believe that the resurrection truly took place. There are many reasons why the critics of Christ accept Paul’s writings over the gospels; some include; </span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1) Paul’s writings are much earlier than the gospels times of writings, thus more believable </span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2) Paul wrote his epistles approximately AD 54-57…at the very most 27 years after the crucifixion, so it is easier to believe Paul as an eye witness with what he saw and wrote.</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3) Critics are willing to believe that Paul did see the risen Jesus, Liars do not make martyrs and that his is the most important fact.</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Apostle Paul gives clear account on the resurrection of Christ in I Corinthians 15.</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Read and learn of Jesus and who He is and His resurrection. </span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Now, you decide. Decide for yourself, based on the evidence of Jesus, His claims of declaring with great accuracy that He is who He says He is. Will you accept Jesus and all of HIS factual accounts of Him being the Messiah? Of his truthful claim of being the Son of God, the Son of Man and the promised Savior sent to redeem a fallen mankind back to holy God through the shed blood of Jesus. </span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Resources:</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- The Holy Bible</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- Wikipedia</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">-<i>The Historical Jesus</i> by Dr. Gary Habermas</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- <i>Evidence for a Resurrection</i> by Mary Jo Sharp</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">About the Author:</span></u></b><span class="ecxtgc"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.simonelake.com</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">NOTE:</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>This devotional article is part of a series of Apologetics Writings.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simone is currently completing her studies in Apologetics at Biola University and is a member and speaker of the </span></i><a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/" target="_blank"><strong><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">International Society of Women in Apologetics (ISWA)</span></i></strong></a><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">http://womeninapologetics.com</span></i></div>
</span><br />Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-89039182165011364462015-05-29T10:27:00.000-07:002015-06-25T19:26:48.493-07:00Jesus is OUR Lord ! <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Recently
a woman in the news was shocked, surprised and completely bewildered at the
fact that someone had stolen her identity and began to misrepresent who she
really was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was an upright citizen,
never having a criminal record but yet this imposter was a criminal and they
did have a record. Many lies, rumors, false information was spread about her
and the most difficult and damaging thing of the whole situation was the fact
that people actually believed the lies. Even though she had clear evidence proving
who she was, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">people,
even those as eye witnesses of her personally, made a decision to trust in lies
rather than the truth of who she really is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Needless to say, this whole situation, even though it happened years
ago, still affects her to this day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Have
you ever had an experience like this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have you ever had someone completely misrepresent who you are?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever been misquoted, misunderstood,
lied about or even slandered against?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
doesn’t feel good does it? It is awful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a breaking and heart wrenching to your soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only is it a miserable place to be, but
there is an ongoing nagging quest of pursuing proper justice to get the correct
information in the hands of those who believe the lies... for them to
understand the truth once and for all to get the story straight to bring out
what is right … to defend the innocent and clarify the questions of doubt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The
same is so with Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Who
is Jesus someone might ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an
age old question that many have tried to figure out, investigate, research and
still debate about to this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
centuries </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">this
topic has caused people to reason, stumped the blind, fooled the foolish and
solidified the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many have claimed
and ascribed various identities, definitions and character </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">develop
thesis of just who Jesus is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The many
claims and arguments that try to identify who Jesus is, start from the
beginning of time. Some of the claims include; that Jesus was a crazy man with
mental issues, others say that Jesus was just a teacher; still others believe
that Jesus was just a good man, a good son... or that Jesus was not fully God.
The wide spectrum include everything<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from
being just a human son all the way to being a devil (Matthew 12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and so goes all the many claims of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So Who Is This
Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Much
like the example of the women with the stolen identity above…who would you
believe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which claim and which
information is accurate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which one is
true? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The
evidence is found in the witness (es) of the one who knows the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Wouldn’t
you want to go to this woman directly and find out the truth from her? Wouldn’t
you seek out documents, verification and truth to confirm what she says?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, that would be the correct format for
seeking justice and truth…research and reason. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The
same in the case with Jesus…you would go to the source, HIM, and find out what
He has to say regarding who He is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So,
let us go to the source of Jesus and find out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We find His truth in the pages of the Bible</span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">giving us a firsthand
picture and acknowledgement of His identity and work on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does
Jesus say about Himself?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">JESUS IS HOLY: </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God
is absolutely and perfectly holy. As God, Jesus embodied every element of God's
character. Paul writes to those in the town of Colossi<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>who Christ is<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily
form.” </span></i><span style="color: black;">In Hebrews, the author also speaks
of Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but
One who has been tempted in all things as </span></i><em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">we are, yet</span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">
without sin.” </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Peter </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tells us </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"You
shall be holy, for I am holy."</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">JESUS
IS OUR SAVIOR:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Which
asks the question “What do one need saving from?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is a valid question to ask and the
author of Romans tells us <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">as it is written, “<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">There is none righteous</span>, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">not even one</span>; <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">There is none who understands</span>, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">There is none who seeks for God</span>; <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">All have turned aside</span>, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">together
they have become useless</span>; <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">There is
none who does good</span>, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">There is not
even one</span>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luke tells us that<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And there is salvation in no one else; for
there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we
must be saved.”</i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">JESUS IS
OUR LORD!:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most
importantly, Jesus is OUR Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Bible clearly reveals that Jesus has complete supreme authority over all</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and
worship. John tells us that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All
things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being
that has come into being</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.”<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul tells us in Colossians <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that “For by Him all things were created,
both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and
for Him</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you have
yet to follow Christ as your Lord, I invite you, Jesus’ invites you…would you please
stop and make the time, take the time right now to ask Jesus OUR Lord into your
life to become YOUR Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PRAYER:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear Lord, <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By reading this, I have learned that not
only are You OUR Lord but I am asking you to come into my heart and be MY
personal Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit that I need to
turn away from actions, deeds, doings that offend your throne and your word yet
I also confess that I cannot do that unless you take the lead and guide me by
changing my heart, mind and soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seek
to follow you and your word fully, completely and faithfully leading others to
do the same. Thank you Lord for being MY Lord as well as OUR Lord and Thank You
Jesus for spilling your blood as sacrifice for me on the cross- AMEN<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Scripture
References:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%203.23" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 3:23</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%203.10-12" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue;">Romans 3:10-12</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Acts
4:12<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Colossians%202.9" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue;">Colossians 2:9</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Hebrews%204.15" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue;">Hebrews 4:15</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I Peter 1:16<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">About the
author:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simone
Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a
passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue;">www.simonelake.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simone
is currently completing her studies in Apologetics at Biola University and is a
member and speaker of the </span><a href="http://womeninapologetics.com/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">International
Society of Women in Apologetics (ISWA)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="file:///C:/Users/Simone/Documents/RIM%20REVIEW-FIRM%20FOUNDATIONS/2015/Jesus%20is%20Lord%20-FINAL%20May%202015.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-60415932258534621482015-05-10T16:27:00.000-07:002015-05-10T16:27:37.463-07:00A Mission to Ecuador: A Prayer for All<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Just this week, I came back from a week long mission trip to Quito, Ecuador. My husband Pastor Dr. John Lake and other members of my church were included in this eight member team. This was my third trip to Ecuador with my first two mission trips being in Santo Domingo and this one being my first trip to Quito on mission.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Our eight member team was invited to encourage, teach, train and equip the saints of God from churches, ministries and Christian organizations within the city of Quito all the way to ingenious people on the gorgeous mountainside outskirts of the city.<span> </span>My greatest joy is sharing and teaching about Christ, who He is and welcoming others to get to know him better and deeper in a one on one relationship with Christ Himself.<span> </span>My joy was fulfilled as I was able to teach train and equip others in the topics and curriculum of Apologetics, Spiritual Disciplines, Fasting, Prayer as well as Scriptural texts and messages in Colossians, Psalms, Jeremiah and more. <span> </span>The audience who participated included Ecuadorian church leaders, church members, Christians, teachers and non believers…all thirsty and hungry to know and understand Christ in a deeper way through sound Biblical teachings of the Bible and theologically sound views that are in line with the Biblical Christian Worldview.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">One of my teachings to the women church leaders was an actual prayer for all those in Ecuador. So as Paul wrote a prayer to the people in the church of Colossi. I used his teachings to echo the same heart cry and my burning desire for hearts to turn to Christ for the Ecuadorians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Much like Paul, my prayer is the same for myself and for you in Colossians 2:9-14:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span> </span>I do not cease to pray for you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2.<span> </span>I ask in prayer that we will be filled with the knowledge of God’s will</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3.<span> </span>I ask that this will shall be done with all wisdom and spiritual understanding</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">4. <span> </span>I ask that our walk in Christ is fully pleasing Him</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">5.<span> </span>I ask that we will be fruitful in every good work</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">6.<span> </span>I ask that we will be increasing in the knowledge of God</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">7.<span> </span>I ask that we will be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power for His glory alone</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">8.<span> </span>I ask that we can do this with all patience and longsuffering with joy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">9.<span> </span>I ask that we can do this giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">10.<span> </span>Thanking God for delivering us from the power of darkness and translating us into the kingdom of the Son of His love in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">My dear friends…this is my prayer for all those in my home town here and in the surrounding communities I live, serve and also teach.<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">My desire is that we can keep our self unspotted from this world ( James 1:27) and sanctify to Christ and Him alone.<span> </span>So regardless of me teaching this message around the world to various people groups, this is something I pray for those in my own communities, <span> </span>myself and loved ones.<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">SEEK CHRIST! Cling to Him and Him alone.<span> </span>He CAN be found! <span> </span>But rather He has found <span> </span>you!</span></div>
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Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-48038869704964256912015-04-05T14:19:00.000-07:002015-04-05T14:19:29.490-07:00Our Resurrected Christ: The End of Lent<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my March Firm Foundations article, I shared about this time of year… Lent on the Christian calendar. Latin for the number forty, Lent began this year on February 17 on Ash Wednesday and leads up to Resurrection Sunday on April 5.<span> </span>This is counted by the six days of the week.<span> </span>Sundays themselves are not counted as part of these forty days because they are generally set aside as days of renewal and celebration similar to "mini-Resurrection of Sundays" of sorts.</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Purpose for Fasting</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The whole purpose of fastings and praying for 40days is to spend excessive ample amounts of time meditating on our personal sins and weaknesses in light of Christ. Then reflecting instead on glimpses of the cross, focusing on Christ who is our only Savior and perfect holy sacrifice for our sin.<span> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This is a season of clinging to Christ and drawing deeper in Him through increased times of worship, confession, repentance, fasting, contemplation and prayer.<span> </span>Seeking and devoting ourselves to the matters of the heart and soul while stripping and unraveling the entangled habits of the flesh.<span> </span>This time focuses our eyes on the intense significance of Christ and His crucifixion – increasing our longing and delight for Resurrection Sunday. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Participating in this fast also increases our heart joy declaration of praise and worship to God for sending Christ His only begotten Son to die on our behalf, taking and appeasing for our own personal sins then, celebrating the victory over Satan, sin and death.<span> </span>Christ Jesus was crushed by God through crucifixion so that anyone has the opportunity to be adopted by God Himself.<span> </span>Christ Jesus was raised by God showing the example that we also have that same opportunity to be adopted by God and raised in the same like manner by God.<span> </span>The diligent discipline of focus for our heart, mind, emotions and soul to be fully captivated and involved by totally immersing ourselves in this miraculous true account so that we ourselves grow and become transformed and grow deeper in our personal relationship with Christ and that we will be so delighted that it catapults us to share and declare what Christ tells us in the great commission of Matthew 28: 19-20</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><strong><u>Westminster and NO Decay</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Westminster Confession of Faith nails it (pun intended) in chapter 8 of their creed.</span></div>
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<em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"The Lord Jesus was born under the law and perfectly fulfilled it. He endured most grievous torments in his soul and most painful sufferings in his body; he was crucified, died, and was buried; he remained under the power of death, yet his body did not undergo decay; and he arose from the dead on the third day with the same body in which he had suffered. In this body he ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of his Father, making intercession, and he shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the age. The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself—which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up to God—has fully satisfied the justice of his Father. He purchased not only reconciliation but also an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for all whom the Father has given to him."</span></em></div>
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<em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Notice the phrase “</span></em><em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">yet His body did not undergo decay”</span></em><em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">. On the cross, where Jesus’ body was nailed, beaten, broken,<b> </b>not once did Jesus’ body begin the death process.<span> </span>Not once did His tissue, cells, skin, muscles, nerves, organs, bones, etc. begin the process of atrophy.<span> </span>Not once did His body experience a progressive decline in any shape or form physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, etc.<span> </span>NOT ONCE did his body decay.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">These same steps of the cross were magnified through the Holy Spirit, a gift given by God to all those who will receive Jesus a promise fulfilled by Jesus Christ Himself.<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Right before Jesus’ ascension into heaven, He encourages the apostles in Acts 1:8</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">As promised, in chapter two,<i> w</i>hen Pentecost had come, <span> </span>all the Apostles were together in one place. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability to do so.<span> </span>There were approximately 20 different, nationalities, districts, languages, ethnicities all there hearing them speak.<span> </span>They were all amazed!<span> </span>What were these saying in all these various languages that brought such amazement?<span> </span>Declaration of Jesus Christ his death, resurrection, ascension and promise of <span> </span>the Holy Spirit delivered on Pentecost and still given today to any and all who want it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The end of Lent is our focus of OUR resurrected Christ seated at the right hand side of the Father…currently praying for us right now...every second, every moment, every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, with a sincere heart</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">ask Him and He will shown you who He is through the pages of your Bible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He calls you His friend and He died shedding His blood for the remission of your sins…inviting you to partake in eternal life gloriously reflected in our soon to be resurrected bodies for all those who believe and follow Him. </span></div>
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Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-41193382056942002372015-03-24T06:25:00.004-07:002015-03-24T06:25:34.251-07:0040 Days of Fastings and Prayers<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">A couple of weeks ago my pondering begin with the many responses I heard in regards to this time of year…<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“I am no longer this (particular religion) so I don’t practice this.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Make sure you indulge in Mardi Gras before you began.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“We did it in the past but it is not required anymore.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The time of year I am referring to is Lent o</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">n the Christian calendar.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Latin for the number forty, this 2015 year, Lent began on February 17 on Ash Wednesday </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and leads up to Resurrection Sunday on April 5. <span> </span>This is counted by the six days of the week. <span> </span>Sundays themselves are not counted as part of these forty days because they are generally set aside as days of renewal and celebration similar to <i>"mini-Resurrection of Sundays" of sorts.</i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">As I pondered the variety of responses from people including those in any form of media</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I noticed that not one person I heard was quoting or referring to the One in whom we are to pray. And not one person I heard was referencing the instructions and direction from the One in whom we are too fast.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible on Fasting</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus expects us to fast as a spiritual discipline. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In the pages of the Bible, Jesus clearly speaks of His expectation of fasting</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> He tells us in the gospel of Matthew chapter six<i> <span> </span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and He first begins with what NOT to do.</span><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Moreover, whenever you are fasting, stop being like the actors on the stage of life, of a sad and gloomy countenance, for they mask their faces in order that they may appear to men as those who are fasting. Assuredly, I am saying to you, they have their reward and the receipt for the same in full. But as for you, when fasting, massage your head with olive oil and wash your face, in order that you may not appear to men to be fasting but to your Father who observes in the sphere of the secret, and your Father who observes in the sphere of the secret will reward you.”</span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></div>
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<u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus clearly explains </span></u></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1. <span> </span>How not to fast: Openly to be seen by and lifted up by people</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2. <span> </span>How to fast: Taking care of yourself physically so no one knows that you are fasting </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3. <span> </span>This is a spiritual discipline that is done between each individual and God</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">4. <span> </span>When we obey the proper way of fasting, God will reward up openly</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In addition, God clearly explains through His prophet Isaiah from the Old Testament of scripture the perfect outline of fasting in chapter 58. <span> </span>He starts out with a sharp reality of where they are in regards to fasting then continues </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><i>“</i></span></sup></b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span>Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">judgments; they delight to draw near to God. ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.” </span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1. </span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Biblical Outline for Fasting</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span>a.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">False fasting<span> </span>(versus 2-5)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span>b.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sincere fasting=True worship (versus 6-7)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span>c.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Blessings that will come (verses 8-10)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span>d.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Healing that will come (verses 11-12)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span>e.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Continually promises (versus 13-14)</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">The Bible is very clear, the spiritual staples of followers of Jesus include prayer and fasting</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">This example is shown over and over again in the New Testament and Old Testament</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">of the Bible.</span></strong><strong><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u></strong></div>
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<strong><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Why Fast and Pray?:</span></u></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /> This is a season of clinging to Christ and drawing deeper in Him through increased times of worship, confession, repentance, fasting, contemplation and prayer.<span> </span>Seeking and devoting ourselves to the matters of the heart and soul while stripping and unraveling the entangled habits of the flesh.<span> </span>This time focuses our eyes on the intense significance of Christ and His crucifixion – increasing our longing and delight for Resurrection Sunday.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Your Personal Plan of Action</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1. <span> </span>If you haven’t already done so, I invite you to:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">See Jesus the Lamb of God</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Come and see where He is staying </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Remain with Him </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Follow Him</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">(John 1:36-39)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2. I invite you to ask the Lord to guide you and show you how you need to implement fasting as part of your spiritual disciples as a follow of Christ.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">SUGGESTIONS</span></u></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1. Read the date of today of the Proverbs and/or Psalms <br /> 2. Read each of the four Gospels from the Garden of Gethsemane to the end of each book. <span> </span>Write down details you have never noticed before. Write down comparisons as well as similarities.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3. <span> </span>Listen to <i>The Shadow of Your Wings</i> by Fernando Ortega - <a href="http://fernandoortega.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://fernandoortega.com</span></a></span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">ONLINE RESOURCES</span></u></strong><strong><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></u></strong><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1. Journey to the Cross - Gospel Coalition<br /> <span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; text-decoration: none;">http://www.thegospelcoalition.org</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /> 2.<span> </span>Lenten Lights: Eight Biblical Devotions to Prepare for Easter</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/lenten-lights" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; text-decoration: none;">http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/lenten-lights</span></a></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">BOOKS</span></u></b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1. <span> </span>Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough:<span> </span>A Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">by Elmer L Towns.<span> </span>Foreword by Bill Bright</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2. Celebration of Discipline:<span> </span>The Path to Spiritual Growth </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">by Richard J. Foster</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3. <span> </span><span class="ecxa-size-large">Love To The Uttermost: Devotional Readings For Holy Week</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span>by John Piper </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">4. <span class="ecxa-size-large">Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter</span> by</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Orbis Books</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">5. <span class="ecxa-size-large">Reliving the Passion by Walter Wangerin Jr. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span class="ecxa-size-large"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">6. God Is on the Cross: Reflections on Lent and Easter</span></span><span class="ecxa-size-large"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></span><span class="ecxa-size-large"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">by Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s</span></span></div>
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<span class="ecxa-size-large"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">7. <span> </span>Christian Fasting: A Theological Approach by </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Kent D. Berghuis</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><i></i></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Calendar: </span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Bible Study:<span> </span>Acts of the Apostles starting Tuesday March 3, 2015-Come anytime</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Check website for more info. www.churchonrandallplace.org</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Audio teachings and various speaking: </span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: none;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net</span></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">About the author:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span><span style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;">www.simonelake.com</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">, FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn</span></div>
Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-38077152452411667202015-02-25T05:04:00.003-08:002015-02-25T05:04:11.944-08:00Title: Beating Heart<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What determines and verifies that a person is alive?<span> </span>The heart!<span> </span>The is the most important organ in our body. This hardworking organ works 24 hours, 7 days a week till the day we die.<span> </span>The human heart beats and pumps blood throughout the entire body as well as <span style="color: black;">deliver oxygen to the brain and all the other organs in our bodies. </span>How thankful we are that it never takes a vacation!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">If the heart does have problems, diseases, poison, etc. Such a one might consider getting<span> </span>a heart transplant.<span> </span>A heart transplant consists of removing the heart from a suitable deceased donor and giving this “new” heart to a recipient desperate in need. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The recipient must undergo all kinds of tests and evaluations to make sure they are mentally, emotionally, psychologically, and physically able to make good use of a new heart. <span> </span>The purpose of the rigid testing is to ensure that the new heart would be the perfect match and most successful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He was known for being heartbroken with a heartbreaking message.<span> </span>But instead of the physical heart beat of earthy life, his focus was the spiritual heart beat of eternal life.<span> </span>This prophet’s daily job task was to declare the words of God to people that were stubborn and rebellious.<span> </span>His greatest plea was to revive spiritual hearts that stopped beating and instead, encourage others to have a “change of heart” and join God in His holy heartbeat. Instead of doing things on their own and ending up in utter destruction to instead, bow the knee to Almighty God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In chapter 24 of Jeremiah, God says <i>“I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart</i>.”<span> </span>This tells of the great need the people had of a new heart, new attitude and new behavior.<span> </span>This also tells of the great need of God’s love because of His willingness to give us, a new heart.<span> </span>His promise of this very thing, declares loud volumes of God’s love for His people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">John, the author in the New Testament, states that</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”<span> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So we know that God loves us<i> b</i>ut the root of the problem is not whether God loves us but rather do we love Him?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Do we love Him enough to follow after Him?<span> </span>Do we love Him enough to do what He says?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Do we love Him NOT to hurt and grieve His heart?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God the great physician knows that we are unable to give ourselves a heart transplant, so in His incredible grace and mercy, does it for us, guaranteeing a high success rate.<span> </span></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Questions</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1)<span> </span>Would you acknowledge that you need a heart transplant?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2)<span> </span>Would you make a decision to seek after God’s heart?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3)<span> </span>Would you allow the Lord to turn your heart towards His, beating in unison with His?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">If you replied yes to any of the above questions, I invite you to say this prayer.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Dear Heavenly Father,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I admit that my heart needs to be transformed, that I need a new heart and you are the only one that can give me a new one.<span> </span>Please come and transform me to have a heart that beats in unison with yours.<span> </span>I seek to do the things that are pleasing to you and not me.<span> </span>Help me to surrender my life to you and serve you all of my days.-Amen</span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">About the author:</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span><span style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/" target=""><span style="color: #0072c6;">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.simonelake.com</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><br id="ecxFontBreak" /><br />Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-33922045638865106422015-01-29T14:37:00.000-08:002015-01-29T14:37:02.346-08:00One Day is as a Thousand Years<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Recently, while my husband and I were on vacation, we stopped in our favorite coffee shop to gather our yummy drinks and a delicious treats. The next step was the perfect place… as we scanned the tables and chairs for a place to sit down.<span> </span>“It must meet all our needs I thought…comfy chairs, plenty of outlets for all our devices, away from too much noise, a window would be nice”… as we continued to scout out the perfect area, our ears became tuned to a warning that reminded me of the words of Apostle Peter<i>. <span> </span>“One Day is as a Thousand Years.”</i></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Deeds of Peter</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This Apostle Peter, the very one who dared to step out of the boat to meet Jesus by walking on water, the very one who cut Malchus ear completely off when the Roman soldiers came to get Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the very one who accompanies Jesus along with James and John on the mount of transfiguration, and the very one who declares before his fellow disciples and speaks directly to Jesus, saying <i>“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”<span> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This Peter is the same one that years later grew spiritually to be even a more profound teacher.<span> </span>Devoted now to teaching, training and equipping others to grow in Christ, Peter appeals to his audience mentioning his first hand experience on the mount of transfiguration as evident of his authenticity. </span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Perfect Table and Ears echoing Warning</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">My ears and those of my husbands were made aware with a great visual of flashing light and thundering of a earth shaken, the immense clarity that even though one may be on vacation, many many miles from work, enjoying a great time, relaxed, not a care in the world, …it is of great need to beware…to be on guard…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">As we found our perfect table…I looked up and it was quick to observe that just tables over there were two people telling another two people complete fallacy of the truth.<span> </span>As we passed by, the words from the false teacher’s lips leaped out across the air waves pricking my heart, which provoked me to begin quick deep prayers for the two that were listening.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">II Peter</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In the New Testament, Apostle Peter wrote two letters.<span> </span>In the second letter, Peter writes to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ, and even though this epistle was written around 65 AD, it applies to us, right now, this very day, to all who believe and those who begin to believe in Christ as Lord this day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The core focus of Peter’s 2<sup>nd</sup> letter was just that, to BEWARE…be on GUARD… for there are those (and will be those) who come and pervert the sound doctrine of Christ, twisting it and leading others astray and away from the Lord Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Peter reminds those that hear and read his letter by <i>“stirring up your pure minds by way of reminder.<span> </span>To be mindful of the words spoken before from the Holy prophets (in the Old Testament) as well as the commandments of the apostles of the Lord and Savior</i>.”<span> </span><span> </span>Peter challenges the readers not to forget that the Lord is coming again.<span> </span>Jesus is not slack in His soon return…but with longsuffering, lingering, not willing that any should perish but instead that all should come to repentance, He is waiting for that appointed time that no one knows the day or the hour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So because we do not know the day or the hour…the scripture text implies that our focus is not the time frame of when Jesus will come again but however the action of following with obedience to stay clear of those teaching falsely becomes the content of our fixed gaze.<span> </span>Our job is to guard ourselves from false teachers and prophets and protect ourselves and others who would be led astray.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Beware of False Teachers</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There are two main areas Apostle Peter centers on, which is the same that continues in the same theological thread that is found in every book of the New Testament and even in the Old Testament. The first one of Peter’s passion is the meshing of His heart with God’s heart and forever common goal and reconciling the people in the world back to God through salvation by faith in believing in Christ Jesus and Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The second passion is to make sure that those who believe in Christ are not lead astray by false teachers, and prophets who are speaking contrary to the Bible.<span> </span>Peter gives his audience the dangers of listening to false teachers because of the severe spiritual destruction that they cause.<span> </span>Peter also gives descriptions of how they false teachers act and how we can discern them. As Peter quotes Moses in Old Testament, he reminds us that even though </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”<span> </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.”<span> </span>Psalm 90: 1-4</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Peter continues to encourage the reader my fast forwarding them to the day of Jesus’ coming again.<span> </span>During that time, THIS time frame, there will be mockery against Christ and Who He is and Who He represents.<span> </span>Peter concludes this letter with the manifestation of the Day of the Lord being something that is coming and those who are mature in view of the day of the Lord is urged to prepare.<span> </span>Prepare by having a manner of holy conduct and godliness…and to beware</span> <span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.</span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="ecxMsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">My prayer for you this 2015 New Year, is that you make yourselves disciplined…having <span> </span>strong resolutions of highest priority of guarding yourself from false teachers and prophets that do not speak the truth of God’s word written in the Bible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">©Copyright 2014 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">© Copyright 2014 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-3629550080643906592014-12-23T13:35:00.006-08:002014-12-23T13:35:55.379-08:00COME! <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. <sup> </sup>And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following Him, He said to them, ‘What do you seek?’<span> </span>They said to Him, ‘Rabbi’ (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), ‘where are You staying?’ Jesus said to them, “<b>COME AND SEE!” </b>They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day…”<span> </span><span> </span>John chapter One</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus noticing that others are following and seeking Him affirms them to <b>COME!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And they went!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah the Old Testament prophet often proclaimed many many prophecies of Christ and His coming. The first and second advent of Christ was Isaiah’s plea and cry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Encouraging and affirming those who are looking and seeking, that their hope is in His coming and pleading again and again for the people and readers to <b>COME!</b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“<b>Come</b>, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! <b>Come</b>, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? <span> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and <b>come </b>to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love. <span> </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” verses in Isaiah 55:1-13</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The angel spoke to Mary Magdalene, who had come with other women to adorn the dead body of Jesus with spices, and fragrant herbs. <span> </span>After the great earthquake, <span> </span>after the angel descended from heaven and after the angel rolled away the stone from the grave…the angel comforted the women in their sorrow and fear then immediately tells them to COME, to SEE as verification of the promises of Christ’s resurrection.<span> </span>Don’t just take my word for it.<span> </span>But COME! Not only were they to come and see, they were to go and tell others to come and see </span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. <sup>6 </sup>He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.<sup>”</sup><span> </span>Matthew 28:1-8</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Future Hope</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, the author John who walked with Christ, wrote his account in the gospels and was the last disciple to live, then die on earth, being resurrected and joining Christ in heaven…He concludes in Revelation, this glorious hope for each believer by encouraging them and anyone else within hearing and reading range to <b>COME!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In chapter 22</span></div>
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<b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“And behold, I am<b> coming</b> soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” </span></i></div>
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<b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Behold, I am <b>coming</b> soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”</span></i></div>
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<b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Spirit and the Bride say, “<b>Come</b>.” And let the one who hears say, “<b>Come.”</b> And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”</span></i></div>
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<b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am <b>coming </b>soon.” Amen. <b>Come,</b> Lord Jesus!</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus declares with much assurance that He is coming and is wanting others to come to Him!<span> </span>Sunday Nov. 30 marks the first day of Advent season.<span> </span>Advent means the coming of Christ<span> </span>The first advent is when he came as a baby in a manager, grew up on this earth for the purpose of saving people from their sins. The second coming of Christ is at the incarnation as judge on the last day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Will you come and see? </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus has personally invited you to investigate, know, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and learn of Him.<span> </span>Lingering by remaining near Him.<span> </span>He has not just called those mentioned in the gospel of John.<span> </span>He has called YOU!<span> </span>COME!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Will you believe in all the prophesies of Isaiah, following his voice of coming, partaking, drinking and feeding yourself on His word.<span> </span>It is FREE, no payment required just a willingness to COME!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Will you listen to the voice of the angel who also spoke to Mary Magdalene, to COME, to SEE as verification of the promises of Christ’s resurrection. Then to go and tell others to come and see. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The simple word of “come” is so powerful.<span> </span>The personal invitation is so honorable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">During this Advent season that we are approaching would you consider the words of these eye witnesses </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©Copyright 2014 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.<span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">© Copyright 2014 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">About the author:</span></u></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span><span style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.deeprootsin christ.com</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.simonelake.com</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and audio: </span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: blue;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/</span></span></a></div>
Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-49445932801184154382014-11-24T20:25:00.002-08:002014-11-24T20:30:46.475-08:00The Grand Finale of Sola’s<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">It is no coincidence that we enter the month known for giving thanks, with our final Sola. A grand celebration... </span><span class="ecxmw-headline"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Solo Christo</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></i></span><span class="ecxmw-headline"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> This sola is the holy truth teaching of Christ and Him being the ONLY mediator between God and man, and that there is salvation through no other but through Jesus Christ alone.</span></span><br />
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<span class="ecxmw-headline"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Thanksgiving and Praise is the ONLY response to a holy God for sending His Son, Jesus on the cross to die for the sins of mankind. Thanksgiving and praise again when Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection conquered the grave but set an example of how those who believe, Solo Christo, will follow and be raised up from the dead like Christ. Thanksgiving and Praise for His ascension, not only did he conquer the grave and rose from the dead, He ascended to the throne of God the Father sitting on His right side. And Thanksgiving and high praise to the Savior of the world whose current job task is to intercede and pray for us, sitting on the throne. He is Alive! The redemption has been completed. It is finished! Thank You Jesus! </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!!! Glory to God in the Highest!!! </span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Validation of Scripture:</span></u></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.” <strong>John 1:14</strong></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> <strong>John 8:31-32</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"</span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>John 14: 6-7</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and </span></em><em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.</span></em><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="color: black;">John 6:35</span></strong></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;"></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;"></span></span><em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever</span></em></div>
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<em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></em><em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”</span></em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> <strong>John 8:12</strong></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and</span></em></div>
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<em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></em><em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">find pasture.</span></em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> <strong>John 10:9 </strong></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><strong></strong></span><em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”</span></em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><strong>John 10:11</strong> </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"></span></strong> </div>
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<strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"></span></strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus said to her,<em><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"> “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even</span></em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"></span></em></span><em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”</span></em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;"><strong>John 11:25-26</strong> </span></strong></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;"></span></strong></span><em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father</span></em></div>
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<em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></em><em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">except through me.”</span></em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;"><strong>John 14:6</strong></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans";"> </span></div>
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<em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”</span></em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;"><strong>John 15:5</strong></span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Droid Sans";"> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Holy Scriptures alongside the truth of Christ sitting on the right hand side of God confirms how important it is to not only believe in Solo Christo but to cling to it with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength. Not only cling to it, but follow and live out the truths found in the Bible as evidence of your belief of a risen Savior. As one knowing that there is no other name than Jesus in which a man can be saved.</span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">WRAP UP</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sola Scriptura</span></i></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> is Latin for Scripture alone, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">birthed out of the hearts of God’s people for the purpose of drawing them to the holy scriptures of God and nothing else. Crucial after heresy and false teachings begin to sneak into the church, turning others from God’s holy truth.</span></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Soli Deo Gloria</span></i></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> which means <i>“For the Glory of God Alone”</i> This IS the reasonable service for those who are the sinners turned servants and saints of the most high God. These do all things for His glory and for kingdom of God.</span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sola Fide </span></i></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">interpreted<b><i> </i></b></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">by faith alone…central doctrinal issue for Christians Excluding the false teaching that good works is necessary for salvation, Sola Fide confirms that justification is received by faith ONLY without any need, deeds or acts of good works. This is also known as the “doctrine by which the church stands or falls.” May the church of this 20<sup>th</sup> century present age stand in the faith of Christ and Christ alone!</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sola Gratia. </span></i></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This Latin word means grace alone. This describes us as sinners and clearly identifies God as the source of salvation of sinners by His grace and His grace alone. A sinner is not accepted by God on account of the change that the believer has done by his own works instead, it is by God's grace, confirming that anyone is accepted into God’s loving arms without any regard for the merit of his works. Of course this person must believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved…</span></div>
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<span class="ecxmw-headline"><b><i><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Solo Christo</span></u></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="ecxmw-headline"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This sola is the holy truth teaching of Christ and Him being the ONLY mediator between God and man, and that there is salvation through no other but through Jesus Christ alone.</span></span></div>
<span class="ecxmw-headline"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Our response? Thanksgiving and praise the ONLY response to a holy God for sending His Son, Jesus on the cross to die for the sins of mankind. </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!!! Glory to God in the Highest!!! </span><br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Questions:</span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Who do you say that Christ is? </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Is He God in the flesh, Savior of the world offering salvation by grace alone by all who believes? </span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">OR do you believe that Jesus is NOT God and instead you believe that you must do works for acceptance?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">My pray is that you select the first. There is no other name in which you can be saved and that name is Jesus. Select Him because He selected you first as evident of a blood stained hill…upon a cross…where He died for your sins. Choose life, Eternal life with Christ Jesus our Lord!</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">©Copyright 2014 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.</span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">© Copyright 2014 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><u>About the author:</u></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.deeprootsin christ.com</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, <a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #256010; text-decoration: none;">www.simonelake.com</span></a>, facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and audio: <a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/</a>.</span><br />
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Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-47449903929470312612014-10-08T16:13:00.005-07:002014-10-08T16:13:53.212-07:00Our Journey of the Sola’s<div class="ecxmsonormal">
<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">The past couple of months, I invited you to join me in a series of “Solo’s”. In <b>July</b> was our introductory welcome to the Sola’s by investigating together what </span></em><em><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sola Scriptura</span></b></em><em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"> means.<span> </span>It is Latin for Scripture alone. I shared how this </span></em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">term arose out of Christian history during the great reformation of the sixteenth century and birthed out of the hearts of God’s people for the purpose of drawing them to the holy scriptures of God and nothing but. This term was defined and created by the Westminster Divines, during the Protestant Reformation after heresy and false teachings begin to sneak into the church and believer’s hearts began corrupting the sacred teachings of the Bible and the holiness of Christ, turning others from God’s holy truth.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">In <b>August</b>, we focused on </span></em><em><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Soli Deo Gloria</span></b></em><em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"> which means </span></em><em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“For the Glory of God Alone”</span></em><em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"> but also translated as “</span></em><em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Glory to God Alone”. </span></em><em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">The application of this term has been used by great composers such as George Frideric Handel who wrote the wonderful Handel’s Messiah to which people around the world join in praise to God every year, since its inauguration, during the Christmas season. Handel made sure the purpose, clarification and understanding of his musical work was produced solely for the purpose of praising God and NOTHING else.<span> </span>This IS the reasonable service for those who are the sinners turned servants and saints of the most high God. These do all things for His glory and for kingdom of God.</span></em></div>
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<em><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">September </span></b></em><em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">was the month we studied deeper with the phrase</span></em><strong><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></strong><b><i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sola Fide</span></i></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">…by faith alone…sometimes called “the material cause or principle”, became the central doctrinal issue for many Christian reformers throughout the history in 16<sup>th</sup> century. Excluding the false teaching that good works is necessary for salvation, Sola Fide confirms that justification is received by faith ONLY without any need, deeds or acts of good works. Martin Luther, the great reformers, often called Sola Fide the “doctrine by which the church stands or falls.”<span> </span>May the church of this 20<sup>th</sup> century present age stand in the faith of Christ and Christ alone!</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">October </span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">brings us to the fourth out of five “sola’s!<span> </span><b><i>Sola Gratia.<span> </span></i></b>This Latin word means grace alone.<span> </span>This describes us as sinners and clearly identifies God as the salvation of sinners by His grace and His grace alone.<span> </span>A</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> sinner is not accepted by God on account of the change that the believer has done by his own works instead, it is by God's grace, confirming that anyone <span> </span>is accepted into God’s loving arms without any regard for the merit of his works.<span> </span>Of course this person must believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved…</span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I know what it means but what does it mean?</span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Most of us have heard of the word grace and use it in a everyday format such as</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">saying a prayer before eating a meal, training children to have patience with </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">their siblings or even when we counsel a loved one in a situation when they are treated unfairly, yet through calming the emotions of our loved one, we encourage them to let the offender <span> </span>“off the hook” <span> </span>by giving them grace, overlooking the problem and remembering that we most often have acted in the same way sometime in our life.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Merriam-Webster’s <span> </span>dictionary describes grace as </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification. A virtue coming from God and a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Greek transliteration for the word grace is </span><em><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">charis, used 156 times in the New Testament.<span> </span>It comes from the root word of<span> </span></span></em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">χα</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">ί</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">ρω which is used 74 times in the NT</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">These translations include definitions such as:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Grace= </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">which means that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech.<span> </span><b>Good will, loving-kindness, favor =</b>which means<b> </b>of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.<span> </span><b>Thanks=</b> (for benefits, services, favors), recompense, reward. <b>What is due to grace</b>= <span> </span>1) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace 2) <span> </span>the token or proof of grace, benefit, bounty, a gift of grace.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">G. W. Wright says it right </span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">G.W Wright in writings pens this phrase…</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award—yet receives such a gift anyway—that is a good picture of God’s unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.”</span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Moving from Salvation to Sanctification </span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Once a person accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior they are saved from their sins and eternal damnation and instead welcomed into the kingdom of God. <span> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Which by the way all of heaven rejoices when one sinner becomes a saint and has a great big party! <span> </span>(Read Like chapter 15 ) </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This is salvation in Christ and him alone. <span> </span>Now that a person has repented from their sins, saved by the blood of Christ and welcomed into the kingdom of God, now what do they do now? <span> </span>We workout our own salvation through following the example of Christ, not via our own efforts, but only through the grace of God. <span> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sola Gratia clarifies the difference between salvation in Christ, and the sanctification of Christ. Through the grace of God He spiritual grows us through the Holy Spirit, not through our own works preparing us for glorification, but through God and Him alone, so no one gets the glory but Him.</span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you each one!</span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Resource:<span> </span></span></u></b><i><span style="font-family: Bitter;">Clip-Art Features for Church Newsletters</span></i><span style="font-family: Bitter;">, G.W. Knight, p. 53</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">©Copyright 2014 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">© Copyright 2014 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">About the author:</span></u></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span><span class="ecxmsohyperlink"><span style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.deeprootsin christ.com</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, </span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.simonelake.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.</span></div>
Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-27574871858460469662014-09-24T20:55:00.000-07:002014-09-24T20:55:40.403-07:00Solo Fide! <br />
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<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Recently during a pastor
and pastor’s wife retreat, my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful and much needed
get away filled with refreshing, relaxation, respite, instruction,
encouragement, laughter and very delicious food! During one evening
session, there was entertainment…a master illusionist (MI for short), who was
skilled in the art of deceiving others for show. Normally I do not care
for this type of entertainment, I would prefer the opera like gatherings such
as Handel’s Messiah or some other form of art such as a ballet, music concert,
etc.</span></em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;">But as I begin to watch
him, I became intrigued. Not so much at what he was doing but HOW he did
it. Not so much why he did a trick but WHERE the precise timing of his
hands where and WHEN he timed distractions throughout each illusion .</span></em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As a spectator, my new
assignment along with other members in the audience quickly shifted from
sitting back and being entertained to how we can discern and catch the sleight
of hands in the process. </span></em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;">One thing that fascinated
me about this MI was that it was so incredibly easy for him to deceive us…over
and over and over again with the same simple set of rules he was very skilled
in: human manipulation, reading of body language and studying of human behavior.
Even though we all knew we were being deceived…no one could quite figure out
how it was done.</span></em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<em><b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Christ, the greatest Gift</span></u></b></em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;">At the end of this
entertainment the MI, received a standing ovation, filled with applause, awe,
wonderment and puzzlement…I walked away with this thought… Spiritually
speaking, this is what is happening currently all over the world. Satan the
great MI, works overtime to deceive others in refusing the greatest gift given
to mankind…</span></em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Christ and his bloody
death on the cross for the remission of sins. Others are deceived by
thinking Christ has not risen, denying He is currently sitting on the right
hand side of God and still others are fooled by not having faith in Christ and
Him alone as key in their salvation process, but tricked into thinking that
they must do additional works, deed, and rules, falsely accepting that we as
humans can add to God’s already perfect equation of faith in Christ alone.</span></em></div>
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<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Thank God for the</span></em><b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Five Solae of the Protestant
Reformation. Thank God</span><em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> for a group of godly men
who could see that foul, evil, sneaky, sleight of hand of satan and put a halt
to those lies, leading to utter destruction and instead bringing the holy
truth of God through the Bible and in clear Christian theological
doctrine, bring not only clarity, but the good news of salvation by faith in
Christ alone.</span></em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Recap </span></u></b></em><em><b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">and Review:</span></u></b></em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The past couple of months, I invited you to
join me in a series of “Solo’s”. In July we looked at Sola Scriptura which is
Latin for Scripture alone. I shared how this </span></em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">term
arose out of history during the great reformation of the sixteenth century and
birthed out of the hearts of God’s people for the purpose of drawing them to
the holy scriptures of God and nothing but. This term was defined and
created by the Westminster Divines, during the Protestant Reformation after
heresy and false teachings begin to sneak into the church and believer’s hearts
began corrupting the sacred teachings of the Bible and the holiness of Christ,
turning others from God’s holy truth.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">In August, we will be looking at Soli Deo
Gloria which means For the Glory of God Alone but also translated as Glory to
God alone. The application of this term has been used by great composers such
as George Frideric Handel who wrote the wonderful Handel’s Messiah to which
people around the world join in praise to God every year, since its
inauguration, during the Christmas season. Handel made sure the purpose,
clarification and understanding of his musical work was produced solely for the
purpose of praising God and NOTHING else.</span></em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<em><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN;">This month we will look
at</span></em><strong><span lang="EN" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></strong><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sola
Fide…by faith alone…sometimes called the material cause or principle, became
the central doctrinal issue for many reformers. Excluding the false
teaching that good works is necessary for salvation, Sola Fide confirms that
justification is received by faith only without any need, deeds or acts of good
works. Martin Luther, the great reformers, often called Sola Fide the
“doctrine by which the church stands or falls.”</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<strong><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Core Root Of Christianity</span></u></strong><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Faith in Christ alone is based completely and
only on the finished work of Christ. It is a divine work God instituted
and promised to His people and all who believe many centuries ago as prophesied
in the Old Testament. This is a clear distinct separation of every other
religion. All other religions are based on human effort and achievement,
deceiving people into believing that in somehow, in some way, they can add to
the perfect work ordained by God…and much like the MI, find themselves
spiraling down in a preoccupation of a sinner’s effort to be holy on based on
their own efforts.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It is justification by faith alone in Christ
that clearly leads the way in Christianity.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Jesus taught justification by faith alone</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Apostle Paul had the same tasks as the Reformers…</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Looking through his epistles, Paul and the
other authors of books in the New Testament, where dealing with the same error
found in every false cult and false religion. Pleading in their writings for
the audience not to be deceived by these MI who come in with the purpose of
deceiving Christians from their faith in Christ.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">My greatest concern is even now as I write
this article, that Christians are being so deceived and poisoned by the lies
and deception and twisting of scripture.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">My friend DO NOT be deceived by the MI of
this world. CLING to Christ alone, through faith alone to the glory of
God alone and no other.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Jesus himself says <i>“He who believes [ in
me as the Son of God] and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not
believe will be condemned</i>.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If you would like to learn more, contact me
via my facebook page</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Calendar: </span></u></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Bible Study: The Gospel of Mark -
Tuesdays 9:00am to 11:00am </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">
Check website for more info. www.churchonrandallplace.org</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Bible Study: The Chaplaincy of
Christ: The Gospel of Luke</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Audio Teachings on prayer and various
speaking: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">© Copyright 2014 Simone Lake. All Rights
Reserved.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">© Copyright 2014 Deep Roots in Christ
Ministries. All Rights Reserved</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<strong><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">About the author:</span></u></strong><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of
Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span><span class="ecxmsohyperlink"><span lang="EN" style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">www.deeprootsin christ.com</span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">, <a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #256010;">www.simonelake.com</span></a>, facebook Twitter and
LinkedIn.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span>Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-14255668289448896202014-08-23T07:44:00.002-07:002014-08-23T07:44:11.972-07:00Soli Deo Gloria!<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Recently on my facebook, one of my friends shared <span> </span>“what was on her mind.”</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">What was on her mind was a video she posted of her rather large retriever dog taking a “selfie” with clothes, makeup (including false eye lashes) not to mention all these additional items… posing for a glam shot with this utter look of arrogant confidence.<span> </span>Hilarious! The human clothes didn’t even fit!<span> </span>As a dog lover myself I could not hold back my laugher as I said out loud “There is something shamefully wrong with this picture!” <span> </span>It was almost as if the caption read</span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">. “Don’t you think I am beautiful?<span> </span>Don’t you care about ever single detail of my life?<span> </span>My whole existence is based on your human opinion of me.”<span> </span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">This parody was obviously poking fun at all the ways humans are focused on themselves with every kind of format, style, technology of “selfie” out there in this world!<span> </span>The sad part is that human opinion is ranked as number one in how a person, thinks, and views themselves and the world.<span> </span>Not only shamefully wrong but completely scary especially when it comes to our souls because the world view is completely contrary to the Biblical view.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Thank God that this world is not the end and there is a heaven to look forward to! </span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">A glorious expectation of those who believe and follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">But the true question is…What are you doing down here on earth to prepare you for heaven?</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></em></div>
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<em><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Remembrance and Review:</span></u></b></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Last month, I invited you to join me in a series of “Solo’s”. </span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;">In July we looked at </span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sola Scriptura</span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;"> which is Latin for Scripture alone.<span> </span>I shared how this </span></em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">term arose out of history during the great reformation of the sixteenth century and birthed out of the hearts of God’s people for the purpose of drawing them to the holy scriptures of God and nothing but. This term was defined and created by the Westminster Divines, during the Protestant Reformation after heresy and false teachings begin to sneak into the church and believer’s hearts began corrupting the sacred teachings of the Bible and the holiness of Christ, turning others from God’s holy truth.</span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This month we will be looking at Soli Deo Gloria</span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"> which means </span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For the Glory of God Alone</span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"> but also translated as </span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Glory to God alone.</span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"> The application of this term has been used by great composers such as George Frideric Handel who wrote the wonderful Handel’s Messiah to which people around the world join in praise to God every year, since its inauguration, during the Christmas season. <span> </span>Handel made sure the purpose, clarification and understanding of his musical work was produced solely for the purpose of praising God and NOTHING else.</span></em></div>
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<em><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">God’s glory, 1700’s and Lord’s Prayer </span></u></b></em><em><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span></span></u></b></em><em><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"></span></u></b></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">So perhaps you are thinking how</span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> does </span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">the glory of God and a musical score, from the 1700’s have to do with me? A whole lot! <span> </span>Matter of fact 100% of the very core of our life depends on it! It is all summed up with the three terms of salvation, sanctification and glorification. <span> </span>Once we come to know the Lord as our personal Savior and Lord we give up our life and what we want to do and live completely by His word (the Bible) and His will, guided and lead by the Holy Spirit…Who is now living inside every believer of Christ. Sanctification is the process of continual growth in divine grace because of your personal commitment after baptism and conversion to Christ…to live for Him as Lord.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">So what does </span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">this actually mean?</span></em><em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"><span> </span>It means that after we are believers and followers in Christ we need to start living and following the example of Christ. <span> </span>God alone has sanctified us through the precious blood of Christ shed on the cross for our sins. <span> </span>But we have to do our part in submitting to, agreeing with and living our lives in accordance with God’s word. <span> </span>We need to make our minds up that we will not be focused on ourselves- “spiritual selfies” constantly focused on our flesh, what we want , the world, … but instead focusing on God’s glory and following our great Example-Christ!</span></em></div>
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<em><b><u><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">From Selfies to God’s glory</span></u></b></em></div>
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<em><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Matthew chapter 6:9-15, <span> </span><span> </span>is a great model prayer for us to start focusing on God and leaving ourselves far behind. <span> </span>Jesus gives us the perfect model prayer to mesh with the heartbeat of God and focus on God and his glory. <span> </span><span> </span>This is commonly known as the Lord’s prayer as well as my prayer for each of you.</span></em></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What NOT to do:</span></u></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Verse 9-“So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you <span> </span>ask Him.” “Pray, then, in this way:” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is telling his disciples, DO NOT follow the<span> </span>people who follow the things of the world… <span> </span>The biblical selfies but instead look to God to meet your needs.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanksgiving and Declaration of Allegiance to Loyalty<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Verse 10 “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed
be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in
heaven”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Worship God is our first and foremost
duty in following Soli Deo <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gloria…glorifying
God and who He is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Intercession and Petition<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Verse
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>11 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Give us
this day our daily bread.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Confession and Forgiveness<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Verse
12 -15 <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘And forgive us our debts, as
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do not <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>power
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the glory forever. Amen.’ “For if
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>transgressions,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But if you do not <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>forgive
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">May we live our lives in complete Soli
Deo Gloria! Unto the Lord in all we say and do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><strong><u>CALENDAR</u></strong></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1. Bible Study: Prayer Tuesdays 9:00am to 11:00am starting in Sept. <span> 2014</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span>Check website for more info. <span> </span><a href="http://www.churchonrandallplace.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0072c6;">www.churchonrandallplace.org</span></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2. Apologetics Teachings/Courses starting in Sept. 2014- contact Simone for more info.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3. Audio Teachings on prayer and various speaking: </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span> </span><span> </span><a href="http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://deeprootsinchrist.sermon.net</span></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">©Copyright 2014 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">© Copyright 2014 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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<strong><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">About the author:</span></u></strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<em><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span><span class="ecxmsohyperlink"><span lang="EN" style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">www.deeprootsin christ.com</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">, <a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #256010;">www.simonelake.com</span></a>, facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.</span></em></div>
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Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-27640188581538455202014-07-14T09:32:00.002-07:002014-07-14T09:32:19.824-07:00Sola Scriptura<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sola Scriptura</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> is Latin for Scripture Alone.<span> </span>This term arose out of history during the great reformation of the sixteenth century and birthed out of the hearts of God’s people for the purpose of drawing them to the holy scriptures of God and nothing but.<span> </span>This term was defined and created by the Westminster Divines after heresy and false teachings begin to sneak into the church and believer’s hearts begin corrupting the sacred teachings of the Bible and the holiness of Christ, turning others from God’s holy truth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In addition, there are four other phrases including;</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Soli Deo Gloria! For the Glory of God Alone</span></em><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Westminster Divines<em><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"></span></em></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Solo Christo!</span></em><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> By Christ's Work Alone are We Saved</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Gratia" target="_blank"></a><em><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Sola Gratia: Salvation by Grace Alone</span></em></div>
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<strong><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;">Sola Fide</span></i></strong><em><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">: Justification by Faith Alone</span></em><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In church history, never has there been a more Bible-centered, Bible-oriented, focus than these statements above. <span> </span>We will focus on Sola Scriptura today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The threat at the time that Sola Scriptura (and currently in our day) was manmade laws and rules that directly attacked Christ words of <i>“It is finished.”</i> when He shed His blood on the cross.<span> </span>Other people who fought against the Bible, wanted to add to the Holy Scripture by requiring unbiblical standards, thus the term Sola Scriptura. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Instead of believing in the name of Jesus by faith through grace, others declared that the blood of Christ and the grace of God was not sufficient for our sins.<span> </span>Instead, other things such as good works, church membership, church attendance, baptism, marriage, last rites, indulgences, treasury of merit, etc., etc. and the list goes on…But those true to God declared that the Word of God, the Bible, we must believe and obey alone nothing more nothing less.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Salvation the one true saving gospel is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, quotes:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. <b><sup> </sup></b>He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! <b><sup> </sup></b>The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” <span> </span>Revelation 22:18</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">II Timothy 3:16 states that - <i>“All Scripture is inspired by God.”</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So that means that every book of the Bible, chapter, verse, every jot and tittle within the canon, of Scripture is inspired by God and came from his voice. <span> </span>The inspiration came from</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God, not the authors and the scripture itself was an inspiration to us all even to this day</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, <i>“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”</i> Every word of Scripture comes out of the mouth of God. A divine revelation in the Bible has come down from God above.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">John 6:63 states that <i>“The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Looking Backward:</span></u></b><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">In the early AD 60’s, Apostle Paul had this same heart cry when he wrote to his beloved Colossians, the ones who He birthed in Christ on his 3<sup>rd</sup> missionary trip. <span> </span>These living in Colosse had also turned from Sola Scriptura; they had allowed others to defraud them of God’s word. <span> </span>Instead of grasping the full complete gospel that Paul preached,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When he first went to Colossae, those there has slowly turned and started believing in those who would speak, enticing words leading astray others with vain philosophy, judgment of men improper worship rituals and doctrine of men.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Paul when writing this letter clearly solidifies with great strategy who Christ is and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">beckons them to return to what he taught them. <span> </span>Christ first and Christ alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He reiterates that:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">A. <span> </span>Christ is Preeminent in Creation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">B. <span> </span>Christ is Preeminent in Redemption </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">C. <span> </span>Christ is Preeminent in the Church</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Paul encourages them by reminding them of their freedom in Christ from:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">A. <span> </span>Enticing Words</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">B. <span> </span>Vain Philosophy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">C. <span> </span>Judgment of Men</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">D. <span> </span>Improper Worship</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">E. <span> </span>Doctrines of Men</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Paul restates who they are as a believer in Christ by:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">A. <span> </span>Putting off the Old Man</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">B. <span> </span>Putting on the New Man</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">C. <span> </span>Holiness in Family Life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">D. <span> </span>Holiness in Work Life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">E. <span> </span>Holiness in Public Life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">It is Christ who reigns supreme over all! <span> </span>Sola Scriptura declares of Christ and Him alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">If you have not done so yet, my prayer for you is to come to know Christ as your Lord Savior, that you would acknowledge Him as One who is reigning supreme over all .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">You can know him as</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">As Paul writes this prayer to those in Colosse, I echo that same prayer for you</span></div>
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<b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“</span></sup></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> I have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.<b><sup> </sup></b>May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.<b><sup> </sup></b>He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Colossians 1:9–14<i></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">©Copyright 2012 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">© Copyright 2012 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved</span></div>
</span>Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-69979461341373405752014-05-15T19:14:00.001-07:002014-05-15T19:16:14.992-07:00Fish Breakfast and High in the Sky<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This past month, we celebrated Resurrection Sunday also known as Easter. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For Christians, this holy holiday commemorates and solidifies the promise God </span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">has made for his creation in the book of Genesis </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">This glorious story does not end there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">After the resurrection of Jesus, He lingered here on earth before He ascended to the Father.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Why?<span> </span>He already declared that <i>“ It is finished”</i> willfully giving up His life on the cross.<span> </span>Many months prior he openly responded to the accusing religious leaders that <i>“If they destroy this temple [meaning His body] He would raise it up again.”</i><span> </span>And to Jesus’ dear faithful disciples He gently yet factually shares with them that He will be leaving, yet comforting them by reassuring that they will never be alone because He will send the Holy Spirit to come, guide and lead us.<span> </span></span><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“ </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So with of this detailed instruction and instructive readiness, why did Jesus linger?<span> </span>From a human perspective, my view and my thoughts would be “Wouldn’t Jesus be in a rush to get home?<span> </span>Wouldn’t He have longed to see His Father face to face and cling to Him once again? Wouldn’t He have grown so tired and weary of the burden of the wicked and perverse world? So much so, that he could not wait to rush back to a holy, sinless surrounding in His holy ordained role, basking in the precious of angels reaffirming His shear true pure excellency, (something denied to Him on earth in many a situation) crying out “Holy, Holy, Holy.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The answer to all of my human questions is NO He wasn’t.<span> </span>He wasn’t in a rush to get home, because His heart was on His people. What was on the mind of Jesus?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">It was not on Himself, but in a true holy example of perfection, His mind was on others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">His mind was on the commissioning of Mary, the comfort of His disciples, the restoration of Peter, and the deeper growth and understanding of who He was and what just happened on the cross... to a common people...prior to His ascension where he currently sits on the right hand side of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Mary, in the middle of anguishing grief and sorrow was in an emotional state of despair at the death of her Savior.<span> </span>She comes to the tomb only to find that the body of the Lord was no longer there, thus increasing her disaster of anguishing pain to a whole new level.<span> </span>Jesus not only lingered outside but dialogues with Mary who assumed he was the gardener…pleads with He saying<span> </span>“<i>Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid him and I will take Him away.”</i><span> </span>Then Jesus calls her by her Arabic name, associating with her true identity… He says “Mary” she recognizes His voice and responding with the title of Rabboni which means teacher.<span> </span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’ ”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and <i>that</i> He had said these things to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">her.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">FISH BREAKFAST</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The disciples, likewise was exposed to the presence of Jesus before his ascension</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and while Peter with some other disciples went fishing, Jesus was waiting for their return on the shore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">After a disappointing morning of not catching even one fish, Jesus encourages them to put the fish net down on the other side of the boat.<span> </span>Only then were the nets overflowing with a tremendous about of fish yet the nets did not break.<span> </span>Watching this scene from the shore, and the disciples hauling and dragging the nets of fish to the beach…they looked up and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“<i>saw a fire of coals, with fish laid on it, and bread.”</i><span> </span>After a tiring, sweaty, heavy task of hauling the fish to the shore, Jesus made them a fish breakfast and He says, <i>“Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” “Come and eat breakfast.”</i> Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So Jesus in a full-fledged new creation form was standing before their eyes in a 3-D bodily form of resurrection, (a physically state once to be attained to all that believe in Him.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">concerned about their physical needs of food and concerned about their emotional needs of grief and sorrow of their Lord no longer walking with them This <i>is</i> now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.<sup><span style="color: #256010;"> </span></sup></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus then dialogues with Peter reassuring to him this call and commission of feeding the sheep and lambs which translates into following Jesus by following his holy call of bringing salvation to the lost.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">HIGH IN THE SKY</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Lord commissions the disciples encouraging them to be pro active in their calling He said to them, “But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped <i>Him;</i> but some were doubtful.<span> </span>And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">A</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">nd He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. <sup> </sup>Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The last<span> </span>view the disciples had of Jesus was him high in the sky being lifted up to sit next to God on the throne.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">QUESTIONS:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Will you?<span> </span>Acknowledge Jesus came, died, was resurrected and lingered here on earth before His ascension before He toke His holy seat sitting next to the Father in heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Will you believe so that you one day will be resurrected like Jesus?</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Scripture Texts:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">John 14:15–18.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">John 20:17–18.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">John 21:9–10, 21:12–19.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Matthew 28:16–20.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Luke 24:50–53.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">©Copyright 2012 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">© Copyright 2012 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">About the author:</span></u></strong><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"></span></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span></span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #256010; font-size: x-small;">www.simonelake.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">, </span><span><span class="ecxMsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #256010;">www.deeprootsin christ.com</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">, facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.</span><span> </span></span></div>
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Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-38521077731825254222014-04-11T16:58:00.004-07:002014-04-11T16:58:32.520-07:00What is Jesus Doing Now?
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Each year,
Resurrection Sunday (often known as Easter), declares with great loud reminder
that Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Men and the Savior of the world, lives
forever today. He lives because He willing died on the cross, shedding
His holy blood for the sins of the entire world rose from the dead and ascended
to the Heavenly Father lives forever living in eternity. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> We know the beautiful glorious deed that He did on the cross and we
know the beautiful glorious place in which He reigns since His holy ascension,
but have you ever wondered what Jesus is doing right now? What He is doing this
very current moment?</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Roman soldiers under the evil deeds of the religious Jewish
leaders, toke Jesus to Golgotha, were they crucified Him and later, in the
darkness of the sky Jesus loudly cried out. It is finished …<i>“When
Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished,’ and He bowed his
head and gave up His spirit.” </i></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In a fresh brand new
tomb in the garden, the Roman soldiers secured the tomb with a huge stone…Mary
one of Jesus’ disciples came to the tomb to put fresh herbs and oil on the tomb
and found that Jesus was not there but instead He had rose up from the grave</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Jesus speaks regarding His own ascension…<b><sup> </sup></b>Jesus
said to her, ‘Mary’ She turned and said <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher). <b><sup> </sup></b>Jesus
said to her, ‘Do not cling to <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to
my brothers and say to them, I am <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God
and your God.’ <b><sup> </sup></b>Mary Magdalene went <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">and announced to the disciples, ‘I have see the Lord’—and
that He had said these things to <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">her. ‘ “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus declares of His ascension prior to the events leading to the cross when
He says this of Himself <i>“No one has ascended into heaven, but He who
descended from heaven: the Son of Man</i>.” This scripture comes before the
familiar passage that most of us know …</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did
not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be
saved through Him.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As Jesus
speaks here , He likens His ascension to Moses lifting up the serpent in
the <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">wilderness, saying “even so must the Son of Man be lifted
up; so that whoever believes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">in Him will have eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">So there is a stipulation, believing is essential!
Believe in Jesus as Savior and then <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">eternal life comes to all those that believe…truly
believe through your whole being, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">including your actions, heart, soul, mind…your whole
being and eternal life Is yours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So now that Jesus declared and prayed to God, <b><i><sup> “</sup></i></b><i>I
glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with
you before the world existed.”</i></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And now that Jesus
has left the earth completed His task, one could ask what is He doing now?</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Scripture tells us that Jesus is truly sitting on the right hand of
God. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<b><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“ </span></sup></i></b><i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He is the radiance of the glory of God
and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of
his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of
the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he
has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” </span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus is currently
on the throne, sitting next to God almighty PRAYING! He is praying for
you, for me, for those who do not know Him on this earth and for those who do
know Him on this earth. He is praying, faithfully praying for us.
He is still actively participating in regards to His creation and the
lives of those on this earth. He is not a distant Savior that left and
far out of reach for us…NO instead He is a loving Savior still, currently with
great vigor active in our lives…we just need to invite and yield to Him</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus open the heaven gates wide through His crucifixion allowing all
mankind the opportunity to come and know the Lord for themselves and serve Him
as the one and only Savior.</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Scripture tells us that, Jesus loves you, Jesus is praying for you right
now currently sitting next to God the Father on His right side. This is
proof of God’s everlasting love…</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be
against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how
will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any
charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ
Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right
hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the
love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or danger, or sword?” </span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></u></b> </div>
<strong><u>QUESTIONS</u></strong><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1. Will you accept the prayers of Christ on the throne by complying
and yielding to His word, His way and His plan?</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 2. Will you believe that Jesus it the Savior of the world with
evidence of an empty blood stained cross and an empty tomb?</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 3. Will you be faithful to serve him with evidence of good
deeds and behavior not just words</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> 4. Will you go and declare this good news to others.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></u></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Scripture Texts<o:p></o:p></span></u></b><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">John chapter 3, 17, 19, 20<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Hebrews 1, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Romans 8<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">© Copyright 2012- 2014 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">© Copyright 2012- 2014 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved<b> </b> </span></div>
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<strong><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">About the author:</span></u></strong><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her at : <a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #256010;">www.simonelake.com</span></a>, <span style="color: #256010;">www.deeprootsin christ.com</span>, <a href="http://www.simonelakeblogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span><span style="color: #0072c6;">www.simonelakeblogspot.com</span></span></a>, facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-51195902044856352242014-02-27T05:51:00.003-08:002014-02-27T05:51:27.008-08:00Heartbeat Lessons of the Cross- Lesson One: The Beating Heart<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">NATURAL FACT:</span></u></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The physical human heart is a muscular organ with the major function of pumping blood. The blood is pumped throughout the many blood vessels within the human body. The heart completes this task with repeated and rhythmic contractions. The circulatory system that includes the vertebrates is also working within the system of all the body organs to perform vital functions to accomplish continued life of the human being. When our heart beats, every single beat involves five major stages called the cardiac cycle. The cardiac cycle refers to all the events related to the results of the beginning of each heartbeat. The five stages include the first two, the “ventricular filling” stage and the last three involve moving the blood flow from the ventricles to the artery and the aorta. Throughout this cardiac cycle, valves are opened or closed, blood flows or ceases to flow, the heart is relaxed or contracted, the ventricular are empty or full, and blood pressure increases or decreases. All this happens in a beautifully orchestrated rhythmic beat. Unnoticed to the naked eye and fully trusted by humans, this wonderful well working machine is often forgotten by us as we go about our daily tasks of living. The healthy heart inside our bodies produces a healthy reproduction that flows not only in our bodies but overflows outwardly to our emotions, feelings, attitude, etc.</span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">SCRIPTURES:</span></u></b></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' <span> </span>“ <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>John 7:38</span></i><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">COMMENTARY</span></u></b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The purpose that Christ was obedient to God in His direction to die on the cross was to bring about reconciliation. Reconciliation, bringing friendship, once again between God and man, leads to a desire to be and do what God wants. It also rescues us from the death penalty for doing wrong and instead gives us eternal salvation. Currently, Jesus is sitting on the right hand side of God the Father in heaven. Even after His resurrection and ascension His goal is the same, continued friendship between the human race and God. We get our every day <i>repeated and rhythmic contractions</i> of our spiritual heart through allowing the heart (God) to pump the blood (his teachings and holy laws) through our veins (heart, soul and mind) in a daily one on one relationship with Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Just like the cardiac cycle is responsible for moving the blood flow to the whole body, likewise believers in Christ are also called to a “flow” that comes out of the heart. The metaphor Jesus speaks of also has to do with the life and death of a heart. But most important with the spiritual matters of the heart. When Jesus speaks the above phrase at the feast, He was speaking to us. He was speaking of the soon to come Holy Spirit after his resurrection and ascension where He is now currently is sitting on the right hand of the heavenly Father in heaven.</span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">QUESTIONS </span></u></b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">1. Are you connected to God’s heartbeat? If not, ask Him to connect you to Him. Ask Him for a pure heart and a heart to long after Him</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> 2. Would you conform to His heartbeat, daily depending on Him flowing blood of life throughout your body?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">3. Would you acknowledge that He is the One, just like the physical heart, that is crucial in survival?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">4. Is your spiritual heart for God pumping the repeated heart beats of Christ?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">5. How is your heart this morning? Do you feel spiritual sluggish, as if you do not have much energy?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">6.Could that hindrance be you? Check to see if something has hindered your heart flow to the Lord.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">7. In what ways does your heart flow with God?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">8. In what ways does your heart resist the flow of God?</span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">PRAYER:</span></u></b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Dear heavenly Father, cause my heart to love you completely, fully and my soul and mind to follow hard after You, Your kingdom and Your will. As I trust in You, You will guide me and direct my path to do just that. Connect my heart, soul and mind to your heart allowing you to beat and flow your blood throughout my body conforming to Your will. <span> </span>Lord, help me to yield to a constant<b> </b>rhythmic flow of your heartbeat in all things. Lord may I see where I am not flowing and where I am hindering the spiritual cardiac cycle of our relationship so that I will turn from those things that offend you and your Name.</span></i><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span>Keep me beating in sync with You all my days and in all my ways.</span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <i>Amen<b> </b></i></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">FURTHER STUDY:</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mark 12:28-34</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">Adapted from Simone’s writing series <i>Heartbeat Lessons of the Cross</i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>© Copyright 2012- 2014 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>© Copyright 2012- 2014 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved</i><b> </b> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><strong><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">About the author:</span></u></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">Visit her: </span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #256010;">www.simonelake.com</span></a><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: #256010;"><a href="http://www.deeprootsinchrist.com/">www.deeprootsinchrist.com</a></span><span style="color: black;">, facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.</span></span></div>
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Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5020890505623934964.post-52278273061524852502013-12-22T03:09:00.001-08:002013-12-22T03:14:14.433-08:00The Crimson Promise of Christmas<div class="ecxMsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The color red is linked to Christmas is so many ways. Whether it is the bright red holly, elaborate and simple decorations or even our favorite delicious sweet treats, not only is red a primary color in its origin, but a primary color during this festive time of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s take a look at this red crimson color from a Biblical view and see how this color was not only primary, for prominent and a everlasting promise throughout all generations…this deep purplish crimson color of red.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Water, Blood, Birth</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As a woman gives birth to her child, there are many fluids involved, including red blood. As gross as this may sound, this very element is the liquid of life. Mary gave birth to Christ, God is, she birthed His human life, and we who receive are benefactors of eternal life-Praise His holy name! </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">for He will save His people from</span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> their sins. ”</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Now all this took place to fulfill what was </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> “<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Behold</span>, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">the virgin shall be with</span> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">child and shall bear a Son</span>, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;"></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">and they shall call </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"> His name</span> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Immanuel</span>,” which translated means, “<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God with us</span>.” </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> name Jesus.<sup>-</sup></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 1:21-25</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">While they were there, the days were completed for </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">her to give birth. And she gave birth to </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and laid Him in a manger, because there</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">was no room for them in the inn.- </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 2:6-7</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The Angels of glory and the common shepherds of the earth joined together</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">in a glorious welcome party for baby Jesus as the guest of honor. After many many years of prophecy and waiting upon waiting, Jesus came to fulfill the blood covenant that God made with Abraham. The blood covenant God made swearing by Himself because there is no one greater than Himself. God walked through the pieces of flesh solidifying the promise so that this day, we can claim that same promise of redemption. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Then Abram brought all these to God and </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">other;…Now when the sun was going down, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">terror and great darkness fell upon him. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">It came about when the sun had set, that it was </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">very dark, and behold, there appeared a </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">between these pieces. Genesis 15:10, 12,17</span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Herod Slaughters Babies</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">As like any great thing of God, there is always a enemy. T</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">hose who come to kill, steal and destroy.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Then Herod, when he saw that he had been </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">tricked by the wise men, became furious, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and he sent and killed all the male children </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">in Bethlehem and in all that region who were </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">two years old or under, according to the time </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">that he had ascertained from the wise men. <b><sup> </sup></b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> “A voice was heard in Ramah, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> weeping and loud lamentation, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Rachel weeping for her children; </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> she refused to be comforted,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> because they are no more. Jeremiah 31:15</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“Get up, take the Child and His mother, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and go into the land of Israel; for those who </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">sought the Child’s life are dead. ”</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and came into the land of Israel.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Christ is Circumcised</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The humanness of the holy God… Out of a overflowing abundance of love, grace and mercy, conformed Himself to His promise to His people and sealed it as a reminder through the act of circumcision</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">before He was conceived in the womb.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> And when the days for their purification according </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">to the law of Moses were completed, they </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Every</span> firstborn <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">male that opens the womb </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">shall be called holy to the Lord</span>”),<span style="font-variant: small-caps;"></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> “A <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons</span>.”<span style="font-variant: small-caps;"></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Simeon; and this man was righteous </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">and the Holy Spirit was upon him.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> And it had been revealed to him by the </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">to depart in peace, According to Your word; </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For my eyes have seen Your salvation,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Which You have prepared in </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">the presence of all peoples, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> A <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Light</span> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">of revelation to the Gentiles</span>, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And the glory of Your people Israel</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 2: 21-32</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Glory to God in the Highest!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">May the Jesus, who is the reason for this season,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> cut your heart for Him and fasten it tightly to His heart</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">…Holding dear and displaying loudly the Promise </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">that has come because of the crimsons of Christmas</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">© Copyright 2013 Simone Lake. All Rights Reserved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">© Copyright 2013 Deep Roots in Christ Ministries. All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">About the author:</span></u></strong><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Simone Lake is a Christ follower, bride of Pastor Dr. John Lake, Bible teacher and a passionate pray-er. Visit her: </span><a href="http://www.simonelake.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #256010;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">www.simonelake.com</span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #256010; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">www.deeprootsin christ.com</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif";">, facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn</span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span>Simone Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13712545235019510426noreply@blogger.com