tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23245730672591234642024-03-19T06:16:44.505-05:00The Secret WirelessHope from our friends while we stand against the enemy.Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-68470048238918326582023-10-24T21:56:00.003-05:002023-10-24T21:56:35.115-05:00John W. Theilen<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">John W. Theilen </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">October 16, 2023 </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-24310082-7fff-fabb-e5f0-a9d977285a6f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I Corinthians 6:20 (KJV)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">To Mom, Jessica & Jason, Rebekah, Cindy, Glenn, to all the grandchildren, family and friends gathered here today; grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The text that is given for your comfort today is Dad’s confirmation verse. I Corinthians 6:20, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Ye are bought with a price.” John Theilen belongs to Jesus Christ. He was purchased 2000 years ago, not with gold or silver, but with the precious blood of God. The death of Jesus is the payment made for the redemption, the purchase, of the whole human race. The most precious substance in all the world, the blood of Jesus, was spilled to make claim on what God wanted most of all: a people to call His own.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And to make it all the more certain, the Lord marked Dad as His own on the day he was baptized. Baptism is not a mere ritual. It is adoption into the family of God. At baptism God marked Dad as bought-and-paid-for with the blood of Jesus. We should all know, without a shadow of a doubt, to whom Dad belonged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He certainly knew it. Dad was reared and raised in the Lutheran Confession of the Christian faith. He was confirmed in that faith, and he could still tell you many of the things Pastor Jording taught him 55 years ago. He learned the Christian faith well, and clung to its Truth throughout his whole life. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I remember him watching some show on the History Channel that was supposed to be about the Bible and the history recorded in it. The show, of course, ended up being nothing that any person who has ever read the Bible could recognize. Dad turned off the TV and said, “Well, that’s not what I was taught in Confirmation,” as if that settled the matter for him. And it did. He had that grounded child-like faith that Jesus admonishes us all to have. The Word of God settled the matter. And no pastor or scholar or TV personality was going to contradict it. Dad knew to whom he belonged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” And this knowledge of who he belonged to drove Dad into many acts of service. He glorified God by serving as a trustee at St John’s in New Berlin, where he grew up. He served here at Our Savior’s on the board of Properties. He took up the mantle of mowing the grass here–every Saturday for years. He said it took 13 hours from start to finish to do it all right. Mowing became a sort of theme. He mowed the grass for his own grandfather, Grandpa Kochman. He even mowed grass at Camp CILCA for 2 summers. I don’t know who talked him into that. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But there were plenty of other things that he did. One time he came into school over Christmas break to help the custodian wax the floors. He picked up the aluminum cans for Lutheran High School on a monthly basis for several years so that they could be recycled and the money used for the school. That was a gross job. He was a regular volunteer at the Live Nativity, and pretty much any workday around the church, LuHi, or Camp CILCA. He knew that he would not be able to give vast amounts of wealth to the church, so he gave work. Dad glorified God in his body.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Even more so with his family. He was a faithful husband, and worked hard around the home. He was a good father, and even a bit of a sucker for anything that his kids asked for help with. (Much of his volunteering at Camp CILCA came about because the Director, who he knew personally, needed the help.) But he was an excellent Papa. Something clicked in his brain when that first grandchild was born, and he spent more hours on the floor playing with newborns and toddlers than probably anyone in this room. He loved being a Papa, and eagerly spent as much time with the grandkids as possible. He glorified God with his body by loving his family.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">He wasn’t perfect. He was, as are all of us, a sinner. Dad would be the first to tell you that. Sin leads to death. And that is why we are here. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dad told Mom a few weeks ago, “I’m not afraid to die. I’m just not ready.” He knew to whom he belonged and where he was going. But if he had the choice, he would have stayed here as long as the Lord had work for him to do. He wanted a little more time.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Throughout all this, I don’t think our family has any regrets about the past. Rather, it is the future that is daunting. The memories we have make us smile. It is the ones he will be missing from that make us sad. I kept praying as we got more and more bad news, for just a little more </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">time</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. I’m not afraid. I’m just not ready. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ecclesiastes has something to say about time. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die.”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Now has come the time to weep and mourn. Now is the time to bury. It is the time to comfort with the promise of heaven. Martin Luther said, “Everything that I have held in my own hands, those things I have lost. Anything that I have placed into God’s hands, those things I still possess.” That is where Dad is now, in the hands of God. And there he has peace and joy in the presence of his Savior.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But I would be remiss to leave it there. For there is another time coming. We will leave here in a few minutes and take Dad’s body to the cemetery, and there we will plant it in the ground. Dad’s body will be buried in hope, in confidence.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You see, Christian hope is not like how we use the word today, to mean “wishful thinking.” Hope is an </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">expectation</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> of fulfillment. It is the confidence that what God has promised </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">will come to pass</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. And so it shall.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There is a time to bury. And there is a time to raise up. “</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The day will come when Jesus will return, when every grave shall be emptied, when John Theilen will live and breathe and walk again. In a great reversal, the Lord will glorify Dad’s body. And in that day there will be time, time without end. Amen. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-27972433059930512042021-09-23T14:58:00.000-05:002021-09-23T14:58:06.636-05:00Allegiance or Faith?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some reactions to Matthew Bates’ <i>Salvation
by Allegiance Alone</i> & <i>Gospel Allegiance</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Matthew Bates, associate professor of
theology at Quincy University, has written two books (<i>Salvation by
Allegiance Alone</i> and <i>Gospel Allegiance) </i>that argue for a change in
the way Christians, especially Protestants, talk about faith, the Gospel,
justification, and salvation. This is not a book review, but more of a
theological reaction to Bates’ arguments. These are just short observations.
Obviously, to do justice to these arguments would take an entire book or two,
and that is just not going to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">First, the good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In both <i>Salvation</i> and <i>Gospel
Allegiance </i>Bates lays out what he believes should be the actual content of
the Church’s Gospel. His summary looks a great deal like Saint Paul’s summary
in First Corinthians 15 and the second article of the Apostles’ Creed. This is
a needed reminder that a preacher is not called merely to talk about the Gospel,
but is actually to declare who Jesus is and what He has done—as a Lutheran, I
am at pains to add— “for you”! At times pastors can fall into the habit of
teaching the doctrine or the church to the exclusion of the words and actions
of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Another plus is Bates’ desire to
reinvigorate the Ascension of our Lord as a (in his case <b><i>the</i></b>)
central focus for the life of the Church. Ascension Day has historically been
one of the high feast days on the Christian calendar. There are some great
Ascension hymns, not to mention the comfort and encouragement that come from
knowing that He who died and rose again for us also sits enthroned with all
power in heaven and earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">He overreaches here, attempting to
assert the Ascension as the prominent or most relevant aspect of the Gospel for
proclamation. I would argue that the passages which Bates uses to justify this
claim all betray him. They all, in fact, point to the death and resurrection of
Jesus (the cross) as the center and focus of the Christian life. While some of
the summaries in the New Testament leave out various pieces of the Gospel, (the
author of Hebrews famously skips from the death of Jesus to His ascension and
Saint Paul leaves out the ascension in First Corinthians 15) they never leave
out the cross. The ascension of Jesus becomes a terror without the cross.
Suffering, death, and resurrection is also how Jesus summarizes His own
mission. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Laying that aside, however, just look at
the Gospels themselves. All 4 of the Evangelists include the death of Jesus. Only
2 (one, if you do not include the longer ending of Mark) recount His ascension.
Obviously Matthew and John did not see the ascension of Jesus as equal to His
death. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[<i>Technically, this should be part of <b>the
bad</b>, but it made more sense to include it here.</i>]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Bates also draws attention to
allegiance, loyalty, and faithfulness as necessary virtues. This is a needed
focus, especially in our day and age. Christians will be tempted to compromise
their faith as the world around us becomes increasingly hostile to Biblical
teaching. His ideas about using the Apostles' Creed as a Christian pledge of allegiance is headed in the right direction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Unfortunately, this focus on allegiance
is another one of the places where Bates overreaches. He has fallen for one of
the classic blunders. The most well known is, “Never get involved in a land war
in Asia.” But only slightly less known is this: NEVER MINGLE JUSTIFICATION WITH
SANCIFICATION WHEN SALVATION IS ON THE LINE! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Now, the bad.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Bates argues that the Greek word <i>pisits
</i>(typically translated into English as “faith” or “belief”) is better
translated, especially in the writings of Saint Paul, as “allegiance”. This
might have been an interesting nuance added to an old word. But Bates takes it
too far. He insists that <i>pistis</i> is not a passive instrument to receive
righteousness from God, but rather and active one to achieve it. (See “Faith Is
Body Out” in <i>Gospel Allegiance</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">First, “faith” is able to capture more
of the nuance of <i>pistis</i> even if (and that is a BIG IF) Bates is correct
in his restructured doctrine of justification by faith. We can talk of “faith”
as “fidelity”. We cannot speak of “allegiance” as “trust” or “belief”. It seems
to me that the English word “faith” remains a better choice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Second, while Bates freely admits that <i>pistis</i>
does NOT always mean “allegiance”, he separates Saint Paul’s doctrine of
justification by faith from Jesus’ own doctrine of salvation by faith. Bates is
willing to allow that Jesus uses <i>pistis</i> as “trust”. This is good.
Because what Jesus says repeatedly in the Gospels is that “your faith has saved
you.” This comes typically after Jesus performs a healing or cleansing miracle.
In this context it is obvious that He is speaking of their trust/faith in Him,
not their allegiance to Him. Jesus is not merely indicating that these people
are healed, but that they are <b><i>saved</i></b>. Their salvation has been
received by faith/trust in Jesus. Saint Paul is not contradicting this teaching
of Jesus, but rather highlighting it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Third, Bates also fails to reckon with
the passages in Saint Paul’s letters where faith is linked to the <b><i>promise</i></b>
(especially Romans 4:13 and Galatians 3:18, 29). A promise does not elicit
allegiance, but trust. The emphasis in these passages is that Abraham held on
to the promise of God, he trusted that God would keep His Word. Indeed, Abraham
is rather unfaithful to God (and His wife) at various points in Genesis. Yet he
is reckoned righteous by faith/trust in the promise that God will bless the
earth through Abraham’s offspring. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Fourth, the Epistle of James (Luther’s
infamous “straw gospel”) contradicts Bates’ notions about faith itself being an
active, embodied thing. James writes that “faith by itself, if it does not have
works, is dead…I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18) While
Bates tries to marshal this passage to his argument on page 166 of <i>Gospel
Allegiance </i>the logic of the passage actually works against him. Bates
wishes to show that faith necessarily <i>does</i> things. Faith must show its
allegiance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">However, the logic of the passage is that
faith itself cannot be seen outwardly because it is internal and invisible. In order
for faith to be visible, works of love must be added. Works are not added for
the sake of justification before God, but to show faith, which remains unseen,
to the neighbor. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Ultimately this is a question about who
gets the credit. Does God receive all the credit for sending Christ Jesus to
suffer, die, and rise to reconcile the world (and me along with it) to God? And
I receive this reconciliation only passively by faith? Or do I contribute my
allegiance (loyalty, faithfulness) to the equation? Interestingly, Bates
himself gives a clue to the right answer. On page 124 of <i>Salvation</i> he says,
“The desire for an enumerated list (of loyal actions) is often indicative of
one of two things: <b><i>either a failure to know and trust</i></b> <b><i>the
goodness of Jesus the king</i></b>, or a what-can-I-get-away-with orientation.”
(Emphasis mine) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Indeed, it all must begin with trusting
the work of Jesus. Loyalty and allegiance grow out of trust, but trust comes
first. Once the Holy Spirit has worked that trust within us, we will grow to be
allegiant to Jesus our king. But that allegiance does not bring us into the
kingdom. Rather, having been brought in by grace, we are all the more fiercely
loyal. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-66503219726759221252019-05-27T16:13:00.000-05:002019-05-22T08:45:48.744-05:00It Is Time to Listen to Cory BookerCory Booker believes that women need men to stand with them. I couldn't agree more. His open letter to all men in <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/cory-booker-open-letter-to-men-on-abortion/" target="_blank">GQ</a> calls on all of us in the masculine sex "to listen, to speak out, and to take action."<br />
<br />
Let's do it.<br />
<br />
Start by listening to (and watching) an ultrasound. You can find them all over Youtube. It will change your life. <br />
<br />
My young bride (we were both barely 21) suspected that God might have blessed our marriage with a new life. She made an appointment and we went together to the physician. He confirmed what her own womanly knowledge had told her: she was 9 weeks pregnant. He also immediately prepared an ultrasound and we were able to see our first son, barely the size of a grape, with his vulnerable little heart firing off 153 beats per minute. <br />
<br />
I do not have any experience in the baby-carrying portion of pregnancy. I
do, however, have plenty of experience when it comes to listening to
the rapid beat of human heart that is smaller than the tip of my pinky.<br />
<br />
I also have experience with the pain of silence. Rebekah, my bride, has conceived a total of 6 children. The second was never born alive. We sat together at her second ultrasound listening, desperately straining our ears to detect the slightest hint of a heartbeat. There was none. And we wept.<br />
<br />
We did not mourn (and we do not continue to mourn) because <i><b>our dreams</b></i> were dashed. We mourned for the life that never reached its potential. A human being, a person, died in his mother's womb. We carry the tragedy of it with us to this day, even after the successful births of 4 more babies. <br />
<br />
I challenge you, men, to listen to and watch an ultrasound of an unborn child. Don't just hit the play button on Youtube while you perform some other menial task. Really focus in on the sight of that fetus sucking her fingers or grabbing her toes. Listen to the beat of the human heart as it pumps blood through the arteries and veins of a living person.<br />
<br />
Do not talk about abortion until you have done this. But once you have, it is time to speak out. Once you have heard and seen the truth of an ultrasound, there is no keeping silent.<br />
<br />
Abortion is not a topic that men like to talk about. I will never have to undergo an abortion. I don't know what that is like. Our lack of experience makes us timid.<br />
<br />
Abraham Lincoln and William Wilberforce had no idea what it was like to be a slave. That fact did not make them timid. Their freedom, and the bondage of others, made them bold to speak, to declare the evils of slavery openly in the public square.<br />
<br />
So it should be with living men today. Open your mouths, not because you have no idea what it is like to be pregnant, but because you know what it is like to <i><b>live</b></i>. You know the joy of living, moving, and breathing the free air of this world. Let that make you bold to speak out on behalf of those who might have that knowledge stripped from them by the callousness of an abortion doctor, the timidity of an inexperienced father, or the fear of a young mother.<br />
<br />
Then take action. Find a pregnancy clinic, one that cares for the mother and the child, and donate or volunteer. Stand in the bitter cold or scorching heat outside the local abortion clinic to let women considering this action know there is hope and there are people willing to help. Don't just hold sign, but be ready to give real aid to anyone in need.<br />
<br />
Start mentoring the young men you know, especially those who have strained relationships with their fathers. They need a sturdy example to learn what it means to be a man. Show them the meaning of sacrifice, duty, and respect. Help them to see the unspeakable cowardice of abandoning a woman with whom you have conceived a child, or worse, encouraging her to get an abortion and kill the child you helped create.<br />
<br />
You should also be ready to take action that supports pregnant women, especially those who have no network of family, church, or friends. Any father can tell you how difficult a pregnancy (not to mention the ongoing work of raising a child to adulthood) is when a woman has the full support of her husband and their extended families. A woman who finds herself pregnant and alone <i><b>needs</b></i> help.<br />
<br />
Be that help. Recruit the women you know to help with the more sensitive parts of going to the prenatal appointments and dealing with the physical aspects of pregnancy. Volunteer to assemble furniture and toys for the newborn. Provide financially for the needs of mother and child.<br />
<br />
Senator Booker has hit the nail on the head. It is time for men to listen, speak, and take action. Do not simply aim for making abortion illegal. Make it unthinkable and unnecessary. Work to fashion a world where ending the life of an unborn child is a fossil that, 10,000 years from now, archeologists will look back upon with shame and contempt that their ancestors could have been so brutal. <br />
<br />
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-70433539602063025722018-07-25T12:21:00.000-05:002018-08-01T11:31:54.867-05:00Good CriticsIt is not the raging critic who's words cut the deepest. <br />
It is the one who intends not harm, but help. <br />
A well thought out critique delivered in true concern pierces the soul, where an impassioned attack would have glanced off my defensive scales. <br />
No one else could have given that message. <br />
God chose the right messenger to sneak past my sinful armor and turn me to repent. <br />
Thank God for godly critics.Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-90322251031118887712015-10-14T15:47:00.003-05:002015-10-14T15:48:17.402-05:00Complacency and Confidence<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<u><b>Hebrews 3</b></u><u><b><br /></b></u>12 "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said, <i>'Today, if you hear his voice, </i><i>do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.' </i>16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief."</blockquote>
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Despite what some
Christians believe, it is possible for Christians to fall away from the
faith. This should come as no
surprise. Jesus Himself warns us about
this in the parable of the sower. Some
faith will be choked out by the worries of the world. Some faith will be burned up by
persecution. The Author of the letter to
the Hebrews warns that some may fall because of evil, unbelieving heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This is a warning against
complacency, against a flippant attitude toward sin and righteousness. We cannot save ourselves from the punishments
our sin deserves any more than a dead man can bring Himself back to life. We need Jesus to forgive our sins and raise
us to new life in Him. But we can throw
away our faith just as surely as a living man can commit suicide.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And as the Author points out
this has already happened to the people of Israel. For one, it obviously happened to Adam and
Eve. Our first ancestors, our father and
mother in the human race, were created in perfect harmony with God. They had a flawless faith in their
Creator. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yet they yielded to the
serpent’s lies. Rather than exhorting
one another to be faithful, they both ate the forbidden fruit, and they fell
from grace. They fell into sin, into
death, into punishment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A similar thing happens when God
rescues the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Lord answers the cries of His people and
with an almost unfathomable display of power and might He delivers them from
the bonds of oppression. He parts the
waters of the Red Sea to bring them safely to His holy mountain. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
They even received a covenant
promise from God, that He would be their <b><i>God</i></b> and they would be <b><i>His</i></b>
people. He showed them how to live with
the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And what did they do? They worshipped a golden calf, even as the
Lord delivered the commandments to Moses.
The people rose up, not to worship, not to praise, but to play, to waste
the new freedom they had received in the pursuit of idle pleasure. They rebelled against their God, their Lord,
their Deliverer and Savior.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And many—many—were
punished. Those that rebelled did not
enter into the Promised Land, but rather died in the desert. They fell in the wilderness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This vicious cycle repeated
itself many times in the history of God’s people. Nowhere was it more pronounced than in the
lives of the Kings of Judah. These men
were the descendants of King David, the man who was said to be fashioned after
the heart of God. He was not perfect,
not by a long shot, but he was repentant.
His faith rested fully in the God who anointed him as king. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yet his sons and grandsons did
not hold fast to the God who established their dynasty. The kings of Judah worshipped idols,
mistreated and over taxed the people, and refused to repent. One after another seemed determined to outdo
the depravity of their fathers. They
made a shipwreck of the kingdom, and so they fell.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The Lord sent Babylon, led by
Nebuchadnezzar, to tear down Jerusalem’s walls, their temple, and to lead their
best and brightest off into exile. They
had fallen away from the living God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Adam and Eve, Israel, and the
kings of Judah, they had all heard the Word of God. They had received the favor of God, life and
salvation. They had heard, but they did
not obey. They had received, but then
they rebelled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There is only one, of course,
who hears <b><i>and</i></b> obeys. Only one man
receives from God and refuses to rebel.
That is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jesus hears the Word of God and
conforms His life, His every thought and desire, to that Word. He refuses the temptations of the
serpent. He worships only His Heavenly
Father. He lives in perfect harmony with
the heart of God, even more so than His ancestor David. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yet what God gave to Jesus was
not simply gracious promises, as He had given to His people of old. No, of Jesus God asked that He live without
sin, yet suffer for all sin. He hears
from God that He is to suffer and die on a cross, taking on the punishment that
we all deserve. Jesus hears and He
obeys. More than that, He obeyed
joyfully.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jesus heeds the Word of God and
joyfully goes to the cross to accomplish the greatest act of salvation that the
world will ever see. For we are not
merely saved from slavery. We are saved
from death. Because Jesus died, we shall
be resurrected. We are forgiven to live
forever and ever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>For we have come to share in
Christ.</i></b> By the power of the Holy
Spirit our hard pagan hearts have been softened through the Word of God. We have heard His voice loud and clear in the
waters of Baptism: You are mine. We have
heard His voice in the absolution: You are forgiven. We have heard His voice in the Supper: This
body and blood is given for you. Today
you have heard His voice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Today,
when you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. <b><i>Rather, exhort one another every day, as
long as it is called “today”.</i></b> We
have heard His voice, and so we know the power of temptation. We know the pitfalls of sin, that it only
leads to death. Therefore we rebel
against the ways of the world and hold fast to our original confidence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I
mentioned this a few years ago during an Easter sermon, but Martin Luther
compared the preaching of the Gospel to the coming of a rain shower in the
desert. The rains pour out of the sky,
we know not how long. It would be unwise
to leave soaking up the rain for tomorrow.
The clouds will soon move along the wind to the next dry place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The
shower of the Gospel is pouring down on us right now. God is raining down forgiveness, life, and
salvation. He is granting faith, hope,
and love. Do not think that this will
last forever. The Gospel will soon move
on; it has already begun. Already the
Church grows in South America, Africa, and Asia. It wanes in Europe and North America. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
But
it has not left us yet. The Spirit still
pours out the gifts of God. How then
shall we live? We hold to our original
confidence by the power of the Spirit.
We hold it fast. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
You
see, confidence is not the problem.
Confidence is not the enemy.
Complacency is. Complacency
happens when our confidence is misplaced, when we are confident in ourselves,
our own works, our own self-worth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
But
our original confidence is not in ourselves.
It is in Jesus Christ. We are
confident that Jesus Christ is sufficient.
For if He is not, then no one ever will be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Because
we share in Christ, we can confidently repent of our sins. We do not need to be right all the time. We don’t have to hide our sin. We can admit it, confess it, and receive
abundant forgiveness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Because
we share in Christ, we can confidently follow Jesus where He leads. Set free from sin we can do the works that
God has prepared for us, loving our neighbor as ourselves, loving God above
all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Because we share in Christ, we live from a
confident hope, one that is sure God works all things for our good, one sure
Christ is returning to raise the dead and right every wrong. We live from a good believing heart that
holds fast to the living God, that hears the voice of Jesus Christ, believes,
and obeys. </span>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-29871939418659432422015-10-14T11:18:00.001-05:002016-03-06T16:04:59.620-06:00"Fear Born of Forgiveness"<img height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b4/92/07/b4920713c4f8d8a6afd1482324065bc0.jpg" width="258" /><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
In the forgiving Word of God the incomprehensible greatness of God, the intolerable glory of His Godhead, the glory of His grace, has appeared, has appeared to eyes that cannot comprehend it even as they gaze upon it. It has been manifested to hearts that stand in trembling awe of it even as they believe in it. This grace of which the psalmist sings is no cheap, easy grace, no easy commodity which complacency can casually appropriate. We can be sure of it, surer of it than of ourselves, than of our own righteousness or our sins or our life or our death. But we cannot be complacent about it. Our souls still wait for the Lord, more than watchmen that wait for the morning. They know the morning will come; they are sure that it will come, and yet they wait for it, and they hail its first graying as a new and wondrous thing. So we wait for the Lord and know that He is Lord and will forgive. But forgiveness remains the perpetual miracle still. God as Forgiver is the object of our fear.</blockquote>
<br />
--Martin Franzmann, "Fear Born of Forgiveness," <i>Ha! Ha! Among the Trumpets.</i>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-50067103929972016862015-09-22T22:48:00.001-05:002015-09-22T22:51:28.509-05:00Shout Your Abortion--Silence Your Conscience<img src="http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/shout-your-abortion-twitter-hashtag-4.jpg" height="117" width="320" /><br />
<br />
#shoutyourabortion<br />
<br />
Go ahead. You can shout. Scream until your lungs give out. But it won't work, because it is not the silence that is your problem. It is the whisper.<br />
<br />
The case against abortion is becoming more solid. <a href="http://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/" target="_blank">The videos are piling up.</a> It is clear that abortionists are not only killing babies, <a href="http://thefederalist.com/2015/09/17/11-most-important-takeaways-from-10th-explosive-planned-parenthood-video/" target="_blank">they are harvesting their organs and selling them, padding their bottom line. </a><br />
<br />
And that means you have been dead wrong about abortion.<br />
<br />
If you have been privately scandalized by the fleecing of the unborn but have not spoken publicly, or even failed to share your views and convictions with your close friends, then these videos leave you without defense. You should have been speaking out long ago. You should have stood up for the defenseless. You should have shown compassion for hurting and confused mothers. And shouting now will not silence the whisper.<br />
<br />
If you have supported abortion rights, if you have been proudly pro-choice, then shame on you. These videos eviscerate your position. "Pro-choice" is, beyond any doubt, an immoral, irrational stance. And shouting will not save you from the whisper.<br />
<br />
If you have had an abortion, I am sorry. I am sorry that there was no father there to offer his life and love for you to make the life of your child lighter to bear. I am sorry that there were not enough clinics, churches, and living rooms for you to go to when you were in crisis.<br />
<br />
Most of all, I am sorry to have to say what I am about to, because although I have never had an abortion, I have done terrible things to people I am supposed to love, and someone had to call me to see it. I know what that feels like. I know the guilt and shame and anger and embarrassment and denial. I don't want to say this, but it is true, and I am bound to the truth.<br />
<br />
<br />
You murdered your baby.<br />
<br />
<br />
You did. You have a million excuses. The defenses are all well rehearsed. But all the shouting you do about your abortion will not stop the whisper. <br />
<br />
The whisper is not God talking, but it is a voice that God put in your heart. It is your <i>conscience</i>, that part of your soul that tells you whether you have done right or wrong. And it whispers to your inner being day and night the truth of what you have done.<br />
<br />
You should have spoken up louder, sooner. You should have known better than supporting and defending a culture of death. You should have protected your baby.<br />
<br />
God planted that whisper in your heart to call you back. He gave you a conscience to give you pause before doing evil, to grate against your sin, and to show you your desperate need for something (Someone!) else. <br />
<br />
You see, God too has a Son. He came as a baby, a tiny heartbeat in His mother's womb. And His unwed mother carried Him to term only to watch the boy she birthed carry His own death sentence upon His back to the crown of a hill where He would shed every last drop of His blood so that you could be forgiven for your abortion, your hurtful support, your silence.<br />
<br />
Only the blood of Jesus can soothe your guilt, shame, anger, embarrassment, and denial. Only the clarion call of the Gospel will calm the constant resonance of the whisper. <br />
<br />
Jesus has so much mercy, so much compassion, to offer you. Please don't ignore that whispering voice in your soul. Don't shout yourself deaf to its pleadings. Turn to the one Man who will not only silence it, but turn it around. Jesus can make your conscience, not defiant, but confident before God.<br />
<br />
<i><b>"I come, O Savior, to Thy table, for weak and weary is my soul; Thou, Bread of Life, alone art able to satisfy and make me whole." "Who can condemn me now? For surely Te Lord is nigh, who justifies. No hell I fear, and thus securely with Jesus I to heaven rise."</b></i>*<br />
<br />
I would that this could be yours. It is there for you in Jesus Christ. Right here, right now He calls and forgives even you--even me.<br />
<br />
<br />
* <span style="font-size: x-small;">Quoted from "I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table" and "Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior", hymn numbers 618 & 619 in <i>Lutheran Service Book</i></span><br />
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-81994775596351644242015-08-21T11:22:00.000-05:002015-08-21T11:22:34.881-05:00The End of Abortion<img height="320" src="http://healthimpactnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/10/that-hideous-strength.jpg" width="190" /><br />
<br />
On August 19, 2015 the Center for Medical Progress released yet another video detailing the closed room practices of Planned Parenthood and their partner StemExpress in procuring fetal body parts. These groups have been harvesting the organs of aborted babies, exchanging money, and using the flesh for scientific experimentation. It is sickening. The videos are not for the faint of heart, but if you desire to watch you can find them <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXSI8qkDPz1CZj1u9I8Wbcg" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
In the most recent video a former procurement technician for StemExpress, Holly, relates the story of how she came to know she could no longer work for this agency. She tells of how another technician called her into a room where she was cleaning a newly aborted baby (so newly aborted that the heart would still beat when pricked by an instrument) to prepare it for organ harvesting.<br />
<br />
Holly was told that day she would be harvesting the baby's brain. The other technician began the process by making an incision under the baby's jaw and through the bottom lip with scissors. She then handed the fetus and scissors to Holly and instructed her to finish cutting through the baby's face in order to remove the brain.<br />
<br />
This is brutal and disgusting. The treatment of this baby, a precious creation of God, is indefensible. It should move us all to revulsion. Yet there is more than just the treatment of the baby here. There is also the intended indoctrination of Holly.<br />
<br />
Hearing Holly retell of her experience I was reminded of C.S. Lewis' novel <i>That Hideous Strength</i>. Toward the end of the novel a character named Mark is taken to the so-called "Objective Room" where he is instructed to stomp upon the face of Christ as depicted upon a life size crucifix. <br />
<br />
Until that moment Mark had always dismissed Christ and Christianity as superstition and nonsense. Now, being asked to show great disrespect to an artistic depiction of Jesus, he begins to reconsider. "Well, if so, what is there objective about stamping on the face? Isn't it just as subjective to spit on a thing like this as to worship it? I mean--damn it all--if it's only a bit of wood, why do anything about it?"<br />
<br />
It is explained to Mark that he is being asked to stomp upon and insult the crucifix because he was raised in a Christian culture. This is part of his initiation into a secret society. He must first renounce all other sources of authority before he can move further toward the inner circle. And the crucifix is the supreme example of <b><i>other</i></b> authority. <br />
<br />
Holly, the ex-StemExpress technician, was made to cut through a dead baby's face in order to harvest its brain. Why the face? Why not the side, or back, of the head? Why was Holly made to do it when the other technician was far more comfortable with it?<br />
<br />
Well that is just it, isn't it? This was part of Holly's indoctrination, her initiation. A baby is not really a baby. It is only tissue, only a fetus, and she is shown this by being forced to cut through the baby's face. She must reject what her eyes plainly tell her, that this is an innocent life, and become callous to the reality of her new occupation. <br />
<br />
Mark finally refuses to stomp on the crucifix, even though he still rejects the Christian faith. He runs from the Objective Room and eventually ends up safe with his estranged wife.<br />
<br />
Holly went through with the procurement. She finished the cutting, extracted the brain, and disposed of the rest of the baby's body. But she was done after that day. She knew, she says, that she could no longer work in that industry.<br />
<br />
When we come face to face with true evil our conscience goes one of two directions. It grows callous and dead to the evil, accepting it as the new normal. Or, the conscience screams and howls for us to flee.<br />
<br />
Flee like Holly from sin and evil. Flee like Mark to Christ, even if we are not sure about Him. <br />
<br />
I am not sure where Holly stands today. The videos are not much interested in her spiritual journey. But I pray that she has been called by the Gospel to the Christ who became a fetal human being for her. I hope that she has received consolation for her blood-stained conscience in the blood of Jesus. <br />
<br />
And I hope the same will be true for all of the technicians, doctors, mothers, and fathers, who have participated in the murder of these children. I pray those of us who have been silent far too often (myself included) repent of our laziness, receive forgiveness, and continue to strive to a day when abortion will be unthinkable. <br />
<br />
The thing is, even if Planned Parenthood is de-funded, there is still much work to do. Even if abortion is made illegal by an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, our task will not be fully accomplished. <br />
<br />
There will always be pregnant teens who will need the forgiveness of their sins and the support of their churches to make healthy decisions for the sake of their babies. There will always be men who need training in and reminding of their responsibilities as fathers. Children need to be uplifted as precious gifts of God, as arrows in the quiver of a warrior. <br />
<br />
This is a long road. It requires endurance.<br />
<br />
First the conscience is pricked. These videos have done that for us just as Holly's experience did it for her. Then comes repentance and forgiveness in Christ. And the fight continues. The Spirit motivates us to take up the banner of those who are innocent, those who are broken, those who are hurting, and to do all that we can for them.<br />
<br />
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everything, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10) Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-8663202910815573492015-07-06T20:35:00.000-05:002015-07-06T20:36:56.693-05:00What Made Sex So Boring?<div class="MsoNormal">
<img src="http://freeimagescollection.com/images/concepts/sex-word-f4.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is sex becoming boring?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My mind pondered this idea a few days ago on my way into
Saint Louis. Before you cross the
Mississippi River into Missouri there is a certain strip club one must pass on
the interstate. Said strip club always
has a billboard advertising the latest special feature. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you might guess these billboards do not vary
greatly. The billboard is usually a
photograph of a woman from the shoulders up looking rather seductive and
inviting any travelers to stop in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time, however, was different. As I passed the billboard there were no
women. Rather than advertising the
club’s newest dancer, they were advertising “wrestling midgets”. So the naked dancing women were replaced by
short, clothed, male wrestlers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t get it. Has sex really gotten that boring? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A more serious example stuck in my mind comes from a PBS
documentary I caught just a few minutes of several months ago. A fertility doctor was being interviewed
about the advances in his field of study and he proudly asserted that in the
near future people will no longer have sex to conceive children. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hold on a minute. I
knew we could have sex without conception, but now you are telling me that
people are going to be having conception without sex? How boring is that?! As it is, conceiving a child is just about
the best thing in this world. It
provides intense physical pleasure and brings many of us as close to playing
God as we are likely to ever get. That
is not something to be lightly cast aside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then there are all of those sex-starved women (<a href="http://thefederalist.com/2015/06/30/polyamory-is-next-and-im-one-reason-why/">http://thefederalist.com/2015/06/30/polyamory-is-next-and-im-one-reason-why/</a>)
who cannot seem to be able to convince their husbands to come to bed with
them. Seriously, what is the world
coming to when a grown man has to have his arm twisted to make love to his
wife?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why is it that we are always being told our sex lives need
to be spiced up? Since when did sex
become the pea soup of life?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you ever eaten plain pea soup? No? I
don’t blame you. It isn’t all that
great. In fact, it is downright bland. If you are going to attempt its consumption I
suggest spicing it up, a lot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But when, exactly, did we start to think about sex in this
way? Sex is not supposed to be bland and
boring. It is not the pea soup of
life. It is the bacon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suggest that sex becomes boring precisely at the point
where we try to spice it up. It is
simply too much, and our minds cannot handle it. Strip clubs, pornography, erotic literature,
lingerie, birth control, and more all add up to try and make sex more
sexy. And the result has been pure
boredom. Where men used to get excited
about seeing the shoulders of Marilyn Monroe, now they barely blink at the
sight of Miley Cyrus twerking on television.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yawn…What channel are the wrestling midgets on?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what can we do?
Get back to basics. I would argue
that there is simply nothing more exciting, nothing more physically
pleasurable, in this created universe than raw sex between married
opposites. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By “raw” I do no mean to imply anything kinky or
violent. I mean sex as it was created in
the beginning: no latex, no pills, no toys, no clothes, just two bodies, male
and female, doing what God created them to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You might think that I have missed the mark. Married sex is synonymous with boring, isn’t
it? I suppose it could be, but it
certainly does not have to be. It is only
there, in the context the marriage bed, that naked vulnerability and bold trust
come together in perfect harmony.
Husband and wife are free to be far better lovers than one-night-stands
or even live-in-partners.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christians, of course, understand this to be the result of a
divine mystery. Marriage is a picture of
the love of Jesus Christ for His bride, the Church. When a man and women are joined in matrimony,
not only are they given the most intimate of human bonds, but they become an
image of God to the world. That is all
the spice that marriage (and sex) will ever need.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can sex become boring?
Sure, but only if we try too hard to spice it up. <o:p></o:p></div>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-25315485871649980772015-06-22T22:13:00.000-05:002015-06-22T22:13:49.752-05:00Reflections on the Fall of a Pastor<img height="320" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/482903345980403715/YTpWfjhr.jpeg" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Tullian Tchividjian, the well known pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, has resigned his position. According to his own statement both he and his wife committed adultery. This disqualifies him from the pastoral office. He has willingly acknowledged his affair and peacefully stepped aside.<br />
<br />
It is a sad day when a pastor must resign his call for any reason, but especially for living an immoral life. Tchividjian's case gives a great deal of pause for Lutherans in particular since he was highly influenced by Luther's writings and those of contemporary Lutheran scholars such as Robert Kolb. Tullian, in recent years, has sought to clarify the proper distinction of Law and Gospel in his own preaching as well as to spread that teaching to a wider audience. <br />
<br />
As Lutherans we have a high view of God's Word in general and of the Gospel in particular. When a Lutheran pastor falls into temptation does he really need to resign? Can he not simply be forgiven and reinstated? <br />
<br />
Yes, it is proper for pastors in this situation to resign. The reason for this, though, may not be what you think.<br />
<br />
Tullian broke the 6th commandment. He committed adultery. He failed to live up to the expectation that an overseer (pastor) would be "above reproach, the husband of one wife". (I Timothy 3:2)<br />
<br />
His sin, on the one hand, is no different than any other. It is just as damning as murder, theft, and idolatry. It is just as forgivable as well. The blood of Jesus atones for all sins. Tullian has expressed his regret over this sin and, as far as I am concerned, stands forgiven for the sake of Christ Jesus.<br />
<br />
One the other hand, his sin is worse than others because it places a stumbling block before the people of God's church. Not only is he a megachurch pastor, but he is a well known author and conference speaker. His sin has a ripple effect that spreads through the people of God and causes damaging shock waves. People's faith will be shaken. They will be hurt by what he has done.<br />
<br />
(Please do not take my words here to be harsh criticism of this fallen pastor. My heart breaks for his family and his congregation. I am awakened by this scandal knowing that this could easily be me. I am not a perfect man, not by a long shot. It is only by God's grace that I have not scandalized His Church yet. So I am not, in any way, suggesting my own moral or spiritual superiority.)<br />
<br />
So what is a pastor to do when he has scandalized not only his congregation, but a large piece of the body of Christ?<br />
<br />
He should resign. <br />
<br />
And then what?<br />
<br />
He should keep silent. He should simply fade into the background, joyfully participating in the body of Christ and serving as an average layman. No comeback, no book deals, no speaking tours, no theological blogs.<br />
<br />
But wait. Isn't that a bit extreme? Surely he could take some time off and then be reinstated, or called to a different congregation. At the very least he could go around speaking and writing for the church, using his God-given gifts as a communicator.<br />
<br />
There is, of course, a certain appeal for fallen pastors in the idea of becoming a popular layman, speaking and writing without the checks and balances of a congregation to hold you back. He has all manner of credentials that would look impressive on a book jacket: former pastor and seminary chancellor, grandson of Billy Graham, etc. <br />
<br />
Someday in the near future Tullian my find himself teaching Speech 101 at a southern Florida community college. He will be under the radar, attending church, hopefully with his family still in tact. And no one will be asking him theological questions. No one will be coming to hear him preach this Sunday. He will sit in the pew, receive the Word of God, and then head back into the world just like everyone else.<br />
<br />
He may begin to feel obscure, lost, unused. And he will be tempted to jump back in, to start a new church, to write a new theological treatise, to reopen his blog and make a contribution to the spiritual lives of God's people. A noble goal indeed.<br />
<br />
Yet Tullian should resist that urge, that temptation. For he has scandalized the church, and his coming back to the lime light only runs the risk of placing more and bigger stumbling blocks along an already treacherous path. <br />
<br />
We do not ask fallen pastors to remain quiet because their sin was too great to forgive. We ask for their silence out of true thankfulness for God's grace in Christ and deep love for His Church. <br />
<br />
The real test for Tullian's faith in the days ahead, in the days of teaching community college or building homes or plunging toilets, will be this: Is God's grace sufficient for you, even in obscurity? Can you accept that God does not need your talents and gifts, that He is simply happy to keep you in His fold? I pray so.<br />
<br />
Obscurity will be your cross to bear.<br />
<br />
It is to the doctrine of vocation that the fallen pastor must turn to for comfort. The plumber, carpenter, or teacher is no less precious in the sight of God than is the pastor, author, and speaker. To feel that we must run back to the office from which we have been removed is to deny this truth.<br />
<br />
Tullian Tchividjian, you will likely never read this. But I pray that you never seek to re-enter the pastoral ministry. I pray that God gives you peace beyond that office, that you may be assured of His great love for you for the sake of Jesus. Go home. Call to your wife. Forgive her. Confess to her. Rebuild your family. Joyfully receive God's gifts. Teach those college freshmen how to give a dynamite speech. Be at peace. <br />
<br />
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-49569621629175019362015-05-20T14:34:00.000-05:002015-05-20T14:34:56.716-05:00This Is What We Do<br />
What did you do last Sunday?<br />
<br />
We...<br />
<br />
...watched an old man drown in a puddle of water.<br />
<br />
<img height="266" src="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11209769_10155540304405013_3174374888980946548_n.jpg?oh=b0155be4a825752ac772454abdcf5583&oe=55FD3DAA" width="400" /><br />
<br />
...witnessed a fresh man's resurrection.<br />
<br />
<img height="266" src="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/10404197_10155536982480013_1331236025887206331_n.jpg?oh=749149151bc8ffab88946f58eac2fc9c&oe=55CCE76B" width="400" /><br />
<br />
...heard the Almighty Voice.<br />
<br />
<img height="325" src="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/1513779_10155293999205013_7236446347553496144_n.jpg?oh=e671029c4a7e847052148203451680df&oe=55CABF3B" width="400" /><br />
<br />
...experienced the power of the Divine.<br />
<br />
<img height="266" src="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10687159_10154606363935013_1409646198051378542_n.jpg?oh=d0c0f8a540608f936bae67ea4d5991a1&oe=55F97373" width="400" /><br />
<br />
...received healing for our souls.<br />
<br />
<img height="266" src="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10672230_10154569896615013_4156815263310910492_n.jpg?oh=c68b7692ad8b33ad39b4c8a38aba505c&oe=56030EA3" width="400" /><br />
<br />
...petitioned the Ultimate Power.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5376af13e4b02899e9218342/53d1b43fe4b0da3674380d5a/53d1b443e4b005dcf3b9e8a2/1406252100490/Praying_in_church_.jpg" /><br />
<br />
...sang with the archangels.<br />
<br />
<img height="266" src="https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10995553_10155254211910013_7869590688731683615_n.jpg?oh=466c5c4577a2d8b6fab31feb05d876ef&oe=5609D3C2" width="400" /><br />
<br />
...feasted on the flesh and blood of God.<br />
<br />
<img height="369" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/Lord's_cup_and_Bread.JPG" width="400" /><br />
<br />
If your church did anything less it's time to think about trading up.<br />
<br />
<br />Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-59591833074273005792015-04-17T09:35:00.000-05:002015-04-17T11:44:58.513-05:00AMEN!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="212" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11052885_10155434237350013_19693662474266582_n.jpg?oh=4f84a13aabccfaf743f23313c83f5d4a&oe=55E6139D" width="320" /> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Amen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the word of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus has taught us, in the Lord’s Prayer, to
pray as sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not as slaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not as beggars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not as strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as sons, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our Father</i></b> in heaven.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the Lord’s Prayer we ask for some rather lofty things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are no mere trifles and trinkets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the stuff of necessity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is costly, worth a king’s ransom and
more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
pray that God’s name would be kept holy, that we would live according to His
Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray that His kingdom would
come, that the Church would grow in faith and love and that Christ would return
to raise the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray that God’s
will would be done, that His gracious desires would be fulfilled for our good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
has taught us to pray that God would give all that we need to support this body
and life, that He would give our daily bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We pray for the forgiveness of our sins, strength against temptation,
and deliverance from evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
when we are done, to all of this we add our “Amen!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the prayer is concluded, when we are
finished asking for God to restore the universe and our meager lives too, then
we say, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yes, Yes, it shall be so!</i></b>”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
is, after all, how Martin Luther explains the meaning of “amen” in the Small
Catechism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Greek word “amen” means,
“Yes, indeed!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a statement of strong
affirmation and agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the
statement of faith, a firm conviction that this prayer will be heard and
answered by God Himself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perhaps
the fault with our modern prayers is not a lack of humility, but a lack of confidence,
a lack of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, God, if you have
time, maybe you could…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lord, if you
feel like it, might you possibly…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
pray like pansies, like wimps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hear
Luther:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“It
is therefore a hurtful delusion when people so pray that they dare not
wholeheartedly add their ‘Yes, it shall be so’ nor conclude with certainty that
God hears their prayer, but instead remain doubtful and say, ‘How dare I have
the audacity to boast that God heard my prayer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all, I am only a poor sinner,’ etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This shows that they are fastening their gaze
not on God’s promise but on their own works and their own worthiness, thus
despising God and calling Him a Liar.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
is a certain audacity to this prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
are to come before God with confidence, with faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray as dear children to their dear
father.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
we are going to pray based upon our own works and merits, then of course we
should be timid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are going to
approach God based upon our own worthiness then humility is an understatement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would not dare to speak to God a single
word.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Or
perhaps the problem is just the opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is not that we are too timid to pray, but we are too afraid that God
might actually answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so we either
don’t pray at all, or we pray half-heartedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
It would
drastically change my life if God’s name, kingdom, and will were first and
foremost in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God might actually
take away my addiction, and then what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He might really let me grow in faith and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then what would I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
But I know what
many of you are thinking: “I have prayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have fallen on my knees, on my face, and bleed my heart out to God
begging for deliverance, begging for healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know what He said?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, ‘No.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
We have stopped
praying, or prayed with less confidence, because we fear that one little word:
no.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
is a day to repent of false humility in our prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a day to acknowledge that we have
prayed, not with faith, but with uncertainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have prayed timidly, based on our own worthiness, uncertain because
of our own sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the day to repent
that we have prayed in fear of getting what we ask for, of the upheaval it might
bring into our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a day to
repent of failing to believe that all of God’s promises are “yes” in Jesus
Christ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Repent
and believe, because today is the day that Jesus is validated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is when Christ proves that all of God’s
promises are “YES!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is when God
reveals that His plan for this world—for you—is not death and destruction, but
resurrection and life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today God gives
His “Amen” to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Easter
is God’s guarantee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is His promise of
grace and favor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will never be against us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is Jesus’ resurrection that gives us confidence to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is not just about prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about life lived under God’s
grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
you walk out the door each morning you can do that with faith in God’s care for
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you set your hand to the plow
or begin a new task, you can be certain that your work is favored by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you care for your family, assist your
neighbors, volunteer in the community, do so with firm trust that Jesus is with
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have the audacity to believe that
God is for you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Has
God really atoned for my sin with the death and resurrection of Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes He has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amen!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Has
God truly adopted me through the waters of baptism to be His child?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Does
He really feed me with the sacrifice of Christ, giving me His very body and
blood?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Does
God still speak words of Law and Gospel, words to drive out sin and strengthen
faith, words to call to repentance and to forgive?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amen! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
pray boldly, confidently, as sons, “Our Father in heaven…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will God answer this prayer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has done it and He will always do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amen! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let’s
take one specific look at how we use this word, “Amen,” in our worship
services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On page 214 in your hymnal, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lutheran Service Book</i>, I say, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Upon
this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained
servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the
stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
And you say, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amen</span></i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like, “Yeah, ok,
whatever.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
No, not “ok.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, not “whatever.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
“Yes, yes, it
shall be so!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Your sins are
forgiven, removed as far as the east is from the west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you believe that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Christ is
risen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you believe that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
You are granted
eternal, everlasting, never-ending life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you believe that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then let it be so for you just as you believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">[Read the other sermons here: <a href="http://joshuatheilen.blogspot.com/2015/02/is-god-your-father.html" target="_blank">Our Father</a>; <a href="http://joshuatheilen.blogspot.com/2015/02/what-is-big-deal-about-gods-name.html" target="_blank">Hallowed Be Thy Name</a>; <a href="http://joshuatheilen.blogspot.com/2015/03/thy-kingdom-come.html" target="_blank">Thy Kingdom Come</a>; <a href="http://joshuatheilen.blogspot.com/2015/03/thy-will-be-done.html" target="_blank">Thy Will Be Done</a>; <a href="http://joshuatheilen.blogspot.com/2015/03/give-us-this-day-our-daily-bread.html" target="_blank">Give Us Our Daily Bread</a>; <a href="http://joshuatheilen.blogspot.com/2015/04/forgive-us.html" target="_blank"> Forgive Us</a>; <a href="http://joshuatheilen.blogspot.com/2015/04/lead-us-not-into-temptation.html" target="_blank"> Lead Us not into Temptation</a>; <a href="http://joshuatheilen.blogspot.com/2015/04/deliver-us-from-all-evil.html" target="_blank">Deliver Us from Evil</a>; <a href="http://joshuatheilen.blogspot.com/2015/04/amen.html" target="_blank">AMEN!</a>] </span></span>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-37495716143907792732015-04-17T07:59:00.000-05:002015-04-17T07:59:44.084-05:00Deliver Us from All Evil<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/13807_10155394140930013_1025075477129558423_n.jpg?oh=cfd4323ec62d07bb5198ecc5d02f7935&oe=55DAF660&__gda__=1440513885_71d0cf4d2cfb573494978f1a570e30fa" width="320" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jesus teaches us to pray,
finally, “Our Father…deliver us from evil.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
is the evil from which we are to pray to be delivered?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have already prayed for deliverance from
evils that plague and attack the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This happens when we pray for daily bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that is included here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray that God would take away all
sickness, poverty, and hardship that harms our human flesh. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Theft,
war, bad leaders, angry neighbors, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, heat, and
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many bodily dangers
in this world that it is impossible to name them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why Jesus summarizes them under the
heading of daily bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are evils
from which we need to be delivered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
have also prayed for deliverance from evils that attack and assault the spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive us our trespasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lead us not into temptation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your greatest spiritual need, contrary to
popular wisdom, is forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
sinful through and through, and because of it God <i><b>should</b></i> completely ignore us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is this fact—that God will not hold our sins against us—which enables us to
pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All our evil deeds, our trespasses
and transgressions, are forgiven for the sake of Jesus and His cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they were not we would not dare to
pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But because there is forgiveness,
we dare to pray as sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to be
delivered from our own evil.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perhaps,
following on the heels of yesterday’s sermon, it is obvious that we need to be
delivered from the “evil one” who brings temptations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter describes the devil as a roaring lion
ready to devour us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is ready and
willing to drag us from the hand of God and down into the pits of hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We certainly need to be delivered from his
evil power.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
enacts all of this during His earthly ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus never encounters a physical evil that He cannot heal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disease, paralysis, hunger, even death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus heals it, fixes it, raises it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no earthly, physical evil that He
cannot overcome.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
also overcomes all manner of spiritual evils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Obviously He forgives sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
says those words all the time and backs them up with miracles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He combats false faith with right
teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He strengthens faith and love
with His Word and presence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
He drives back the power of the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Demons cower in fear at the feet of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He resists the devil in the wilderness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Devils and demons are no match for the Son of
God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet
all of this would have had very little impact if it were not for what happened
on Good Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All
those who were healed of their physical ailments would eventually get sick
again, from something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those whom Jesus
fed with miracles will grow hungry again in a few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those raised from the dead will die again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are not permanent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those
who were forgiven will sin again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
whose faith is strengthened will struggle with trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who have been taught will forget.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Demons
and the devil will continue to operate in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could be exorcised of your demons only to
have them return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The devil can be
turned down today only to poke his head back up tomorrow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These
solutions that Jesus offers, these miracles that He graciously performs, will
all eventually be undone if He does not do something far greater, something
much more drastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of it this
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With His miracles Jesus is putting
a bucket under a leak in the roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
may take care of the immediate problem, but a larger issue remains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roof must be fixed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Humanity,
this sinful fallen world, must be fixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The miracles were a kind and loving gesture, but the real solution is
much more significant, much more drastic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i><b>Jesus
must die.</b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i><b> </b></i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To
deliver us from the evils that plague the body, Jesus must submit to those
evils and suffer greatly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To deliver us
from the power of sin and temptation, Jesus must submit to the punishment for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To deliver us from the devil,
Jesus must make it look like the devil won.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is only here, at the cross, that ultimate deliverance is possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i></b> cure for all our physical needs,
because everyone who looks to the cross of Christ will have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eternal</i></b>
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
This is the
total solution for the needs of the spirit because here the forgiveness of sins
is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">purchased
and won</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cross opens a
flowing fountain of forgiveness that will <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never run dry</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It strips the devil of all his power,
exposing him for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">liar</i></b> he truly is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
The death of
Jesus is God’s cure for the ills of the entire universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it exposes the ministry of Jesus, not as
a temporary failure, but as a foretaste of the glory to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day there will be total healing and no
more disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day there will be no
more temptation and no more need for forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all because Jesus died to pay for it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
When we pray,
“Deliver us from evil,” we can have complete confidence that not only will this
petition be answered, it is already answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God has delivered us from all wickedness in the death of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cross has purchased for us a destiny free
from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i></b>
evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray knowing that even if evil
things happen now, they will not happen then.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So we pray, confidently as sons, “Father in
heaven…deliver us from evil.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-19347856063724164072015-04-16T16:15:00.000-05:002015-04-16T16:15:37.747-05:00Lead Us Not into Temptation<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xat1/v/t1.0-9/1514604_10155417150525013_1313437169147274209_n.jpg?oh=788a3217417140b8e2b15c15edef6095&oe=55ADAAD7&__gda__=1436334559_3b5426f536048341adc5b0bb8f84bc2b" width="320" /> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus teaches us to pray, “Father in heaven…lead us not into
temptation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Temptation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What exactly is that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a lot of confusion out there because
of this word.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some
churches will say things only count as sin if we actually do them with our hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only murder if I physically pommel
someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only adultery if I
actually do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only stealing if I
actually take it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On the flip
side, you have those who will say you have sinned even if you have simply
thought about breaking a commandment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because the thought occurred to you to punch your co-worker in the nose,
you have already sinned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Neither of
these is exactly accurate, but the answer is not easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is notoriously difficult to draw a bold
dark line between temptation and sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The line is not bold and distinct, but, due to our sinful nature, it is
foggy and hard to see.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We know that
temptation is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i></b> sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have the
thought to break the commandments of God you are not sinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you indulge that thought you are. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just outwardly, but inwardly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus warns that anger and hate is as
damning as real violence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lust is just
as sinful as fornication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greed and
jealousy is as deadly a poison as stealing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fantasy of the mind is just as sinful as the actions of the hands.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In his
commentary of the Lord’s Prayer, Dr Jeff Gibbs of Concordia Seminary helps to
cut through some of this confusion by explaining that the word <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“temptation”
indicates “combat with Satan and his forces and his ways”</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, temptation is spiritual
warfare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And so our sin when dealing with
temptation comes not so much from our thoughts as it does from our position
toward those thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we fighting
Satan and his temptations with the Word of God and prayer, or are we letting the
devil have his way with us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we
active or passive?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we engaging in
battle, fighting back, or do we lay down our weapons, throw up our arms, and
surrender?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As we follow Jesus in this life we
will be attacked by the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will
be set us with all manner of temptations to evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where ever we are weakest, there the devil
strikes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard one theologian put it
this way:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Imagine that you are transported to
an island where you could do whatever you wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could have anything your heart desired,
and no one, not even God would ever know about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be zero consequences for your
actions and your wishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would you
ask for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would you do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are your greatest temptations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is where the devil will strike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is where he will attempt to destroy you. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(from Dr. Russell Moore)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is the night of temptation for
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did He institute the
Lord’s Supper, but He also went out into the garden to pray, and there He
wrestled with His own human will and submitted it to God’s.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While we are not told that the devil
was there in the garden, we can be sure that he had a vested interest in Jesus’
disobedience to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus is tempted, but He does not
sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When His human nature is confronted
with certain, torturous, death He has a very human response:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not want to die!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temptation is to value His human will
over the divine will of His Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How does Jesus wrestle with this
temptation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is He actively fighting or
passively caving in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wrestles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He drops to His knees and prays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abba, Father, all things are possible for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove this cup from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet not what I will, but what you will.</i></b>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Martin Luther follows this in the
Large Catechism in his commentary on this petition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says that these words, when we are beset
with temptation, should be our mantra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are to be our constant prayer: “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dear father, lead me not into
temptation.</i></b>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More than that, Luther explains,
these words are a club with which to bludgeon the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he attacks, we fight back with this
prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We beat him with this club, and
eventually he cannot help but give in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The temptation will submit to God in this petition.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As fallen human beings we are not as
ferocious in battle as we ought to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus never faltered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never
went passive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not always pick up the club of
prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not fight back with all
our might.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fall into temptation when
we are attacked by the devil.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All this drives us into
repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our weakness, our passivity
in the midst of spiritual warfare, drives us back to the one who did fight, the
one who conquered, the one who on this night overcame His own temptations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are driven to the one Man who broke the
power of every temptation with His death and resurrection.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus has taken the punishment for
every time we have given into temptation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has overcome that same punishment with His resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And His victory becomes a guarantee to all
who believe that one day temptations will be no more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shall be resurrected completely free from
their lure and power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Until that day there is a battle
raging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are following our Lord Jesus
from the font of baptism until the day of the resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we follow we will be attacked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be tested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be tempted. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes, probably more often than
we care to admit, we will fall to that temptation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I said, the line is foggy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is difficult to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you think you have fallen, don’t debate
the issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When in doubt, repent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus will forgive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the purpose for which He has come. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This petition is our club to beat
back the enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray, relying not on
our power or purity, but on our Father to bring us through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words that Jesus teaches us to pray beat
the temptation over the head until at last it submits to the will of God and
leaves us alone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So we pray, continually, without ceasing, “Lead
us not into temptation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-83901346829519787482015-04-16T16:05:00.003-05:002015-04-16T16:06:52.126-05:00Forgive Us<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="213" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11026189_10155414590130013_4637007627328395855_n.jpg?oh=129c76a76f6d6a6e5f04fe452f1ac5e3&oe=55AA5730&__gda__=1436879183_ab38ed83d62e74d20848f3b2c16a16de" width="320" /> <br />
<br />
The words of Martin Luther on our desperate need for prayer: <br />
<br />
"This part now relates to our poor miserable life, which, although we
have and believe the Word of God, and do and submit to His will, and
are supported by His gifts and blessings, is nevertheless not without
sin. For we still stumble daily and transgress because we live in the
world among men who do us much harm and give us cause for impatience,
anger, revenge, etc. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="para87"></a>Besides, we have Satan at our back, who sets upon us on every side, and
fights (as we have heard) against all the foregoing petitions, so that
it is not possible always to stand firm in such a persistent conflict.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="para88"></a>"Therefore there is here again great need to call upon God and to pray:
Dear Father, forgive us our trespasses. Not as though He did not forgive
sin without and even before our prayer (for He has given us the Gospel,
in which is pure forgiveness before we prayed or ever thought about
it). But this is to the intent that we may recognize and accept such
forgiveness. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="para89"></a>For since the flesh in which we daily live is of such a nature that it
neither trusts nor believes God, and is ever active in evil lusts and
devices, so that we sin daily in word and deed, by commission and
omission, by which the conscience is thrown into unrest, so that it is
afraid of the wrath and displeasure of God, and thus loses the comfort
and confidence derived from the Gospel; therefore it is ceaselessly
necessary that we run hither and obtain consolation to comfort the
conscience again.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="para90"></a>"But this should serve God's purpose of breaking our pride and keeping
us humble. For in case any one should boast of his godliness and despise
others, God has reserved this prerogative to Himself, that the person
is to consider himself and place this prayer before his eyes, and he
will find that he is no better than others, and that in the presence of
God all must lower their plumes, and be glad that they can attain
forgiveness. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="para91"></a>And let no one think that as long as we live here he can reach such a
position that he will not need such forgiveness. In short, if God does
not forgive without ceasing, we are lost.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="para92"></a>"It is therefore the intent of this petition that God would not regard
our sins and hold up to us what we daily deserve, but would deal
graciously with us, and forgive, as He has promised, and thus grant us a
joyful and confident conscience to stand before Him in prayer. For
where the heart is not in right relation towards God, nor can take such
confidence, it will nevermore venture to pray. But such a confident and
joyful heart can spring from nothing else than the [certain] knowledge
of the forgiveness of sin."<br />
<br />
(Copied from <a href="http://bookofconcord.org/lc-5-ourfather.php">http://bookofconcord.org/lc-5-ourfather.php</a>) Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-53333085034240021122015-03-20T13:21:00.001-05:002015-03-20T13:25:32.755-05:00Give Us This Day Our daily Bread<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="266" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10550866_10155262487995013_7796623205470029551_n.jpg?oh=611179cab80b9a7fbe0f1854cb89e008&oe=5574E9D0" width="400" /> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Thus far in the Lord’s Prayer we
have been praying for what God wants: His name hallowed, His kingdom growing
and advancing, His will being accomplished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once we have prayed for all these things, Jesus leads us in a slightly
different direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He teaches us to
pray: “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">give us this day our daily bread</i></b>.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Daily
bread?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus wants us to pray for food and
stuff?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just got done asking for God
to rule and transform the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we
ask for bread?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does God, who has the
eternal salvation of the universe on His shoulders, really have time to care
and see to our daily physical needs?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes He does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your physical needs are important to God because He <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">created</i></b> them and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">redeemed</i></b>
them, and He Himself will <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eternally fulfill</i></b> them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who
created your physical body with all of its needs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He made your body to need food, rest, and shelter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly these needs were much more easily
met before the fall into sin, but they were still there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
even more firmly establishing the point, Jesus redeemed your body with His
resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus did not rise as a
pure spirit, as a body-less phantom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
rose with feet, with hands, with scars, with a mouth and stomach that consumed
a broiled fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
this is a sure sign that in the resurrection God will continue to fulfill our
physical needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not get
resurrected from the dead to ignore our bodies, but to enjoy them as they were
first created and intended to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
can fall into false belief on both sides of this doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the first century through today a
constant battle has been waged by the Church against two great philosophical
foes: Gnosticism and Materialism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gnosticism,
generally speaking, is the teaching that the physical world is of no
consequence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that matters is the spiritual
realm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So church and prayer, forgiveness
and preaching, those things matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
food, shelter, and clothing don’t matter at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Materialism
is the other extreme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no
spiritual world, or at least it has no significance, so just worry about your
physical needs, and forget the spiritual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is not just the person who cares only for wealth and the
accumulation of stuff, but simply the person who gives little or no thought to
spiritual matters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
think we can see these two false ideas in our prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we believe is reflected in what we
pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when you pray, do you pray as
Jesus taught, with God’s name, kingdom, and will up front?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or do you pray first and foremost for what
you want, what you think you need?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
can testify that I have certainly been guilty of praying for the health and
safety of my own family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very
fervent in praying for the health and safety of this congregation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those ideas and thoughts come very easy to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes much more practice to pray
for spiritual things, especially for those things that Jesus first teaches.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
am willing to bet that this is true for you too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are more likely to pray for your own
physical needs, or the physical needs of your friends and family, than you are
to pray for God’s name to be hallowed, for His will to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
So repent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is sinful for us to prioritize our prayers
in a different way than Jesus teaches us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Repent of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And be forgiven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grace of God in Christ removes our sin,
the sin of praying wrongly, or praying selfishly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He covers that with the holy blood of Jesus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
The death and
resurrection of Jesus atones for our sins of prayer, whether they are Gnostic
or Materialistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And His resurrection
sets us to thinking aright about how to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our physical needs are not inconsequential, nor are they primary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Trusting in
Jesus we can pray for what we need of body and soul, but remember that not all
will be fulfilled in this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
physical needs are very pressing and important, yet we know that if they are
not met here in time, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>they will be
met in eternity</u></b><u>.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
not the only physical life you have to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A far better, far richer one is coming.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
By faith we see
God at work, providing our daily bread, through various vocations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Through family
God moves parents to provide for their children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, as both age and grow, the rolls often
reverse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children care for their
parents.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Through work God
provides income for us to buy what we need for our families, but He also uses
those vocations to provide for those in our communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The baker does not only make bread for his
family, but for all those in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
cobbler makes shoes for hundreds of people, not only those of his household.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Through
government God establishes peace where people can live and work without
fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is much easier to work when you
are not being vandalized on the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
can raise families when we are not afraid of being bombed or invaded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Luther, in the
Large Catechism, ends his comments on this petition with a warning to those who
would stand against Christians, that this petition could turn against
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unjust employers and unjust
governments beware.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>God will provide for His people</u></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you find yourself standing in the way of
His provision or harming His people, He will crush you for their sake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
God blesses
employers and governments in order to provide daily bread for His people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they are not going to be doing that, then
He will replace them with someone who will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By God’s grace our misplaced prayer priorities
are forgiven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our lives are redeemed,
body and soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God promises to
provide all that we need to support this body and life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we pray boldly as sons, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Give
us this day our daily bread</i></b>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-29777899337651137372015-03-20T13:09:00.000-05:002015-03-20T13:25:13.631-05:00"Thy Will Be Done"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="265" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11016983_10155254144450013_162598341729141235_n.jpg?oh=29cce5e1d83d71d748eb75a6aceeb4f4&oe=55B9FD56&__gda__=1437385065_750dac4c9cf0539007476482bdae3376" width="400" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jesus teaches us to pray, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Our Father in heaven…Thy will be done.</b>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
But what is
God’s will?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does God want?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are His desires, His purposes, His aims
in the world?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
This question is
especially relevant to those facing major life decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High school seniors ask, “Where does God want
me to go to college?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New graduates ask,
“What sort of job does God desire that I seek?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who should I marry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where should
I live?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should I take this treatment or
that treatment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What choice is the right
one, which one is in line with God’s will?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
These ideas
become very debilitating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can begin
to be crushed under the weight of constantly trying to divine the will of God
from our feelings and thoughts, trying to read all the signs that we think we
are seeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what if we make the
wrong decision?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if we are not
living in line with God’s will?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
God, in His
wisdom, makes it very simple for us to know His will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reveals it to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord does not leave us guessing about
what He wants or about what His aims are in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is very open and forthcoming about all
these things in the Scriptures, in His Word.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
What does God
want you to do with your life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants
you to obey the commandments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
the will of God for His creation, to love Him above all things and to love our
neighbors as ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When making
those big life decisions we can weigh the options against the 10
Commandments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Does one of
these choices force me to dishonor my parents, cause bodily injury, commit
adultery, steal, or lie?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will this
choice place someone or something in the position of a new god in my life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are the questions worth asking and
taking to heart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
If the answer is
“yes,” then you know what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not
break the commandment of God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
And if the
answer is “no”, if we are not going to be breaking a commandment, then we have
freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to the college that appeals
to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take the job that excites you,
or the one that pays well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marry your
brown-eyed girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live in town close to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take the doctor’s advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Or don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not breaking a commandment, so you
are not going against God’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
have freedom to make a choice, so use your common sense, your best judgment,
and choose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
The other
component to God’s will is what we read from Ezekiel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God desires to forgive repentant sinners, to
give life in exchange for death, to plant faith and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wills that His name would be kept holy and
that His kingdom would come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other
words, God desires our salvation from the punishment that we deserve for going
against His will in the commandments.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
This will is
what Jesus prayed about in the garden of Gethsemane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s will is that Jesus Christ would suffer
and die in your place, and that He would rise again to ensure your
salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus lived perfectly within
the will of God every step of His life, and then He died and rose as God designed,
to put that perfect obedience into our account.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
From this we see
that the will of God is good and gracious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Life is filled with difficult choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes we make what turns out to be the wrong one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While God may not be angry with us for it,
the decision has made our lives more difficult in this fallen world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether because of our own sins, or the mass
of sin that exists all around us, our time in this world is filled with
hardships.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
This is so
prevalent that we may begin to doubt the goodness of God and His will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the point of obedience if it doesn’t
gain us anything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we hold on to
salvation in the next life when this life is so fraught with chaos and seemingly
senseless destruction?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Martin Luther
reminds us in the Large Catechism that this is exactly what the devil
wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is His very aim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is Satan’s will that we doubt the good and
gracious will of God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Like a furious angry foe he therefore
rages and lashes out with all his venomous might, marshals all his underlings,
and even enlists the aid of his allies, the world and our own flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For in itself our flesh is indolent and
inclined to evil, even when we have accepted the Word of God and believe it; as
for the world, it is completely wicked and evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The devil enflames these two, blowing and
stirring the blaze in an effort to halt us, drive us back, overthrow us, and
bring us again into his power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
the one thought, desire, and purpose toward which he is straining day and night,
resting not a wink and employing all the arts, tricks, means, and methods that
he can possibly dream up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“We who want to be Christians must
certainly expect and be prepared for having the devil, all his evil angels, and
the world as our enemies.”</b></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
The devil will
stop at nothing to keep God’s name from being hallowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will do all that He can to stop the
kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He puts all his efforts
into dragging you into hell with him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
This is why we
pray all the more fervently, “Father…Thy will be done!” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>When God keeps His name holy
on the tips of our tongues, when He makes His kingdom to advance both in us and
through us, then not only is God getting what <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>He</u></b> wants, but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>we
are also being saved</u></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
It is God’s good
and gracious will to crush the power of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He will do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is His good and gracious will to keep you
firm in His Word and faith from now until the day when faith is no longer
necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He will do it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
We have nothing
to fear from God’s will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has spelled
it our clearly for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His will is that
we would both <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i></b> good in His name, keeping His commandments; and that we
would <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">receive</i></b> good through His promise of the Gospel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
In Mark 1:40-45
Jesus is approached by a leper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the
statement made by this man is important for us to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says, “If you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i></b>, you can make me
clean.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This man does not doubt Jesus’
power or ability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doubts Jesus’ will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does Jesus <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i></b> to heal me?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Jesus’ response
is so short, simple, and wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i></b>;
be clean.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not simply that Jesus
is “ok” with healing the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
Jesus’ will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wants</i></b> to cure the leper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He wants to cure you too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus has come to cleanse you of your sin, to
crush the temptations of the devil, to awaken you to a life that will have no
end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
So we pray
boldly as sons, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Father, Thy will be done, on earth as in heaven.</i></b>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-67733768672785972782015-03-20T12:53:00.000-05:002015-03-20T13:25:47.254-05:00Thy Kingdom Come<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="275" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10959332_10155188454005013_2129077374353902807_n.jpg?oh=f2a41654326d4c52e88144daee843146&oe=5583A8D4" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jesus teaches us to pray: “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our Father
in heaven…Thy kingdom come</i></b>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
does it mean for the kingdom of God to come?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To understand this we need to think of the kingdom, not in terms of
boundaries or geography, but in terms of a person.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To
the Jews Jesus says, “The kingdom of God is at hand…the kingdom is in your
midst.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can that be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we think of a kingdom we think of
geographical boundaries where a certain king has authority to rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is sort of the right idea, you just have
to cut out the part about geography.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God’s
kingdom is wherever Jesus is, wherever His Word is taught, wherever the Holy
Spirit is present through the work of the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it isn’t about boarders and
boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about Jesus and the
hearts wherein He creates faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
kingdom of God is present when one lone Christian sits in the midst of his
Muslim neighbors because that one Christian clings to the death and
resurrection of Jesus for his salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where the Word is proclaimed and believed, the Holy Spirit is there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And where there is the Spirit, there God is
reigning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
And our prayer
is that this kingdom of God would grow, that it would advance, that it would
finally conquer the earth at the return of our Lord Christ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
The kingdom of
God grows within us as Christians, both individually and corporately, when we are
led to stronger faith and fiercer love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christians grow in faith as the Word of God works on their hearts,
moving them to repent and believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christian love grows as the Spirit uses the Word to inform our newborn
souls of how to live God-pleasing lives.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Although we are
Christians, baptized into the name of the Triune God, we still possess an
imperfect knowledge of God’s Word, both Law and Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We begin as infants in faith and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have life to be sure, but that life, just
like a baby, needs to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
A good
illustration of this is Jesus Christ Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although He was born perfect in every way, although He had not an ounce
of sin within Him, yet He grew in stature and favor with God and man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was no more the Son of God at the age of
30 than He was at the age of 3, yet He did grow, and that growth is good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Christians too
grow in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our sinful nature still
holds fast to idolatry and sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
should not fool ourselves into thinking that we have no idols because we are
Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our idols are simply covered
in more pious language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tradition,
relevance, family; we place these on pedestals and set them up as rivals to God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
And God, in His
mercy, calls us out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Word points out
our worship of these false gods, these pious images and ideas, and He moves our
hearts to repent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, more gracious
still, God forgives us for the sake of the death and resurrection of
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>The shed blood of Christ is
applied to us so that our idols are torn to pieces and our sins are covered</u>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
That is how a
Christian grows in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is how
God’s kingdom comes <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">among</i></b> us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit of
God calls us to repentance and faith through Law and Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spirit brings Christ into our midst in
Word and Sacrament to forgive, renew, and lead us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
And where the
Spirit leads us is out into the world, spreading God’s kingdom to other people
and in other places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kingdom of
heaven spreads out, not by conquering territory, but by conquering hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That happens through what we usually call
“missions and evangelism”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Of course
missions can happen in faraway lands, amongst strange customs and
languages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lutheran Church has
missionaries deployed across the globe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our congregation specifically has partnered with Rev Joel Fritsche as he
goes to the Dominican Republic spreading the Gospel and planting churches.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
This can happen,
however, closer to home, in your own back yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just as the Spirit has had His way with you, convicting you of false
worship and leading you to repentance, so the Spirit will do the same through
you to other people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
As you live a
godly life, and take a stand for God’s Law in word and deed, the Spirit will
convict the people around you of their sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when you open your mouth, telling them all that Jesus has done, His
death and resurrection, the Spirit will move them to trust Jesus, to come alive
by faith in Jesus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
And this will
prove to be the constant struggle of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the day of His ascension until the day
of His return, the people of God are striving to grow in faith and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are striving to spread the kingdom to
the ends of the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the power of
the Holy Spirit it is happening in our lives, in our churches, and beyond.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Yet the day will
come when the kingdom of God will spread across the globe in an instant, in the
twinkling of an eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for that day we
earnestly pray as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Christ
will reveal Himself to be the rightful King of the Universe, the undisputed
ruler of heaven and earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will raise
the dead, separate believers from unbelievers, take the righteous by faith to
Himself and cast the unrighteous by unbelief into hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kingdom will have come in full.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
You see that we
pray for no small thing when we say those simple words: “Thy kingdom
come!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are asking for an increase of
faith, love, and life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We plead, not
merely for earthly riches, but for heavenly and eternal treasures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are praying for resurrection from death
and life everlasting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And God promises to give it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will not deny this prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our own we might doubt, but not in
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baptized into Jesus, covered
with His blood, united into His family, <u>we pray boldly as sons</u>: “Thy
kingdom come, now and forever!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-81506666821741742642015-02-26T15:17:00.001-06:002015-02-26T15:17:54.359-06:00What Is the Big Deal About God's Name?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10304566_10152480137954544_2416356374705681065_n.jpg?oh=a5ca283e0d1f4959d6748856ca27632f&oe=558F21D1&__gda__=1434861925_2e37f510a10aae898e6e1c8bc71021ff" style="height: 437px; width: 582px;" width="400" /> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.</i></b>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus has
graciously invited us to see God as our Father, and to pray to Him with the
confidence of sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what is a son to
ask of His almighty, heavenly Father?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
begin by praying that God’s name would be hallowed, or kept holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luther’s explanation in the Small Catechism
says:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“God’s name is kept holy when the Word of
God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also
lead holy lives according to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us
to do this, dear Father in heaven!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God
among us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Protect us from this, heavenly
Father!”</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
That’s
interesting isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The petition
taught by Jesus is about the name of God being kept holy, and Luther jumps
straight into talking about the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So what is the connection?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
does the Word of God, and us keeping it and living according to it, have to do
with God’s name?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Well, think
about it this way: There is a man getting married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His last name is “Jones”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His new bride takes his last name, as is our
custom, and becomes Mrs. Jones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Likewise, the Joneses then have several Jones children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Isn’t it true
that the way Mrs. Jones and the Jones children speak, act, and live will reflect
upon Mr. Jones?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If his wife is always
dressed in rags, or if his children are unruly and disrespectful, that sends a
message to the rest of the world about Mr. Jones. Conversely, if Mrs. Jones can't brag enough about the kindness of her husband, or if the children are well mannered and well behaved, that too reflects upon the one who gave them his name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their lives reflect, positively or
negatively, upon his name.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
And so it is
with the children of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been
given God’s name in our baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
name of Christian means “little Christ”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So how the church, the bride of Christ, speaks, acts, and lives reflects
upon the name of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How the children
of God behave tells the world something about their heavenly Father.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
And where do we,
as children of God learn what we are to believe and how we are to act?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why, from His Word of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Scriptures we learn what it means to
be a Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn what we are to
believe for our salvation, and how we are to act to bring glory and honor to
the name of God, rather than bitterness and derision.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
We are to
believe and live rightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To have the
right faith and to live a godly life is what we call sanctification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are justified, saved from the punishments
of death and hell, purely by the grace of God given to us in the death and
resurrection of our Lord Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that
same grace sanctifies us as we grow in faith, knowledge, and good works.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
We are praying
for a true and trustworthy faith, one that clings to the doctrine of
forgiveness in the death and resurrection of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are praying for the strength to live a
godly life, one that conforms to the image of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
And that is why
it becomes imperative that we pray for good and orthodox teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Christians we need to be in constant
prayer, imploring our heavenly Father to send His children preachers of the
Word, men who will teach the faith and lead us into all godly living.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
There are many
false teachers out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find
them on your television set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
listen to them on the radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their books
cover the shelves of Barnes and Noble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I am not even talking about the non-Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within the Church, half-truths and outright
lies abound.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
So Jesus teaches
us to pray, not simply that God’s name would be kept holy, but that we would be
blessed with men to preach the Word as it was handed down by the prophets and
Apostles, and so we would keep His name holy in our lives too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to pray that we would live and breathe
according to His Word.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
We should pray for
our seminaries and universities, that the professors there would remain true to
God’s Word and that they would encourage the students under their influence
toward godly vocations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
We should pray
for the students, that they would take their studies seriously, that they would
grow in faith and holiness to be able to go into the church as pastors,
teachers, and other vocations, leading others to Christ and building them up in
the Christian faith.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
We should pray
for our pastors, that they would rightly divide Law and Gospel, that their
teaching and preaching would deliver Jesus Christ unveiled to a world that
desperately needs Him, that they would not neglect teaching and encouraging us
to all good works.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Yes, I want you
to pray for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray that my words are
not really mine, but God’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray that I
would speak boldly all that Christ has given me to say, no more and certainly
no less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray that I would be the
instrument of God in answering this petition.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
The preaching
and teaching of the Church is God’s means to bring glory to His name and
salvation to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, when God’s
name is kept holy, when it is glorified, it spells salvation for the people of
the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
I will leave you
with the example of Rahab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rahab was a
rather scandalous woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a pagan
prostitute, not your typical demographic for conversion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet when Joshua sends two men to spy out the
city of Jericho it is this sinful woman who offers them shelter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She saves their lives.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
And why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<span class="text">For we have heard how <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the </i></b></span><span class="small-caps"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></b></span><span class="text"> dried
up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you
did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and
Og, whom you devoted to destruction.</span> <span class="text"><sup><span id="en-ESV-5881">11 </span></sup>And as soon as <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we heard it</i></b>, our hearts
melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the </i></b></span><span class="small-caps"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> your God</i></b>, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth
beneath.</span>” (Joshua 2:10-11)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Rahab hears of
the work of Yahweh, the L<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ORD</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knows and fears the name of the L<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ORD</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fame and glory, His name, has spread, and
she has believed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore she is
saved, and so are we, for Rahab becomes an ancestor of King David, and also an ancestor
of Jesus Christ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God increases the glory of His name for the
salvation of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When His name is
kept holy amongst His people, others hear of it and are saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has saved us with the precious blood of
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has given us His name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us believe and live in Him, to bring
further glory to His name, and further salvation to this earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-29841867822860727432015-02-19T11:08:00.001-06:002015-02-19T11:09:42.246-06:00Is God Your Father?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<img alt="" src="http://knarf.english.upenn.edu/Gifs/hand.gif" height="191" id="yui_3_5_1_4_1424365625784_943" style="height: 267px; width: 558px;" width="400" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus teaches us to pray: "Our Father who art in heaven..." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is God really your Father?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because we talk and think about Him as if He is all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact many non-Christians seem to assume
that God is a fatherly figure, even if they do not really go to church or trust
Him for salvation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I want
to make the assertion tonight that God is not your father, at least not in the
way you usually think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
First, think about the Biblical
evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will search, nearly in
vain, for references to God as Father in the Old Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are there, but they are rather few and far
between.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually it is God who asserts
that He has acted as a father and the people have behaved as spoiled children.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Second, think about what it means
to be a father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do fathers do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They beget children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you and I were not begotten of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, we were made, created by Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We like to think of ourselves as God’s
children, but we are really a lot more like God’s bicycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He created us, built us, put us together, but
we are not on His level.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
You see, the child of a human being
is a human being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The child of God would
be God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not gods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you know that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not natural-born children of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, we are His creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not like Him, we are not on His
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
It is good that we understand this,
because many times we become too presumptuous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We think that God is just a really powerful human, like a king or a
ruler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we begin to think that He owes
us something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He owes us an explanation
for what He does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He owes us an answer
to our prayers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Nothing, however, could be farther
from the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this relationship
with God, it is we who owe Him everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We owe Him our lives, our love, our obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as you would expect your bicycle to ride
easily and turn in the direction you move the handle bars, so God expects us to
act the way He built us to act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we
don’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We are not God’s children, not by
birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there is one who is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something changed when the angel Gabriel
appeared to Mary and announced that she would bear the Son of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
While there are next to no
references to God as Father in the Old Testament, the New Testament is littered
with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus almost universally
refers to God as His Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saint Paul
picks up on this as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So do the
other writers of the New Testament.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
So what changed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is the Son of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not merely God’s creation, but His
equal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is begotten of the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, what God begets is God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And so the relationship between Jesus and God is one of Father and Son,
not simply Creator and creation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Jesus has every right to call God
“Father”, and He does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus has every
right to pray and expect good things from God, and He does on a regular
basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus has every right to expect
that God will bring Him through all trials and temptations, that God will even
bring Him through death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He does.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
And then Jesus takes what is His
and makes it ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In baptism, Saint
Paul teaches us, we are united with the death and resurrection of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only are we restored to a sinless
relationship with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our connection to
Him is amplified, so that we are no longer merely slaves, but sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all sons of God by grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus has died and risen to make it so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
God has adopted us as sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course this does not mean that we should
think of ourselves as gods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
certainly not to expect to be worshipped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet we have access to God as sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just as we expect our earthly fathers to do all things for our good,
even more we expect God to work all things together for us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
And so we pray, boldly, “Our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Father</i></b>,
who art in heaven…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the way
Jesus teaches us to pray to God, not because we deserve it, but because he,
Jesus, has earned it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
This changes everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No longer do we need to go to God timid and
afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We kneel before Him and pray
with the eager expectation that He will give us all that we need.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We do not need to pray in order to
show off our spiritual superiority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
pray in desperate need, to ask of our Father what we all need from Him, the
needs of body and soul.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
We do not pray as the pagans do,
heaping up empty phrases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, the pagans
thought they needed to convince their gods to hear and answer their
prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would lay out praises to
their idols, and try to reason with these fake deities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
There is no need for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of Jesus, God is your Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to hear you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to answer your prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is His desire to give you every good
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply ask for what you
need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will give what you need.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Martin Luther explains it best with
the Small Catechism:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“With
these words, God tenderly invites us to believe that we are His true children,
and that He is our true Father, and so that with all boldness and confidence,
we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear Father.”</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These words are a tender invitation from God for
us to see that in Christ He has made us His children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These words are an invitation to pray with
boldness and confidence, knowing that our Father will never ignore or forget
His dear and precious children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-87436671818229452202015-02-05T22:48:00.000-06:002015-02-05T22:48:39.528-06:00It's Not Where You Come From, but Where You Are Going<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3-N0_8fxB8eVmRukv2425hzDqXlmvuC9JRDqMPFhxIJgBHU9mDpuqya6FpL8MySeyLFJyp-KKjb_rPtbjo7bxDIujkm70MphzoRdl0zkZK8iesYvYZ24ANc6qZocu0pJS8V0UZTZt_vR/s1600/sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3-N0_8fxB8eVmRukv2425hzDqXlmvuC9JRDqMPFhxIJgBHU9mDpuqya6FpL8MySeyLFJyp-KKjb_rPtbjo7bxDIujkm70MphzoRdl0zkZK8iesYvYZ24ANc6qZocu0pJS8V0UZTZt_vR/s1600/sun.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Huffington Post actually published a good article. I know, I know. Usually the HuffPo is garbage laced with poison, but this really was a helpful article...one religion of all topics!<br />
<br />
In his article "Why We Know So Little About Moses and Jesus" author Bernard Starr helps to explain why the record of the lives of these two Biblical figures do not include detailed accounts of their upbringing.<br />
<br />
Ever since the dawn of the age of psychoanalysis we have been trying to understand what makes a person tick by asking where they came from. The keys to a person's identity lie in the past, in their youth. That is, at least, what we believe to be true.<br />
<br />
And so we often want more information about the young life of Moses. What was it like to grow up as an outsider in Egypt? Was he ever mistreated? Was he spoiled? What was his education like? We assume that these are important questions. <br />
<br />
The same goes for Jesus. We want to know what happened while the holy family was down in Egypt. What was it like for Jesus between the ages of 3 and 12? What did He do until He was baptized? Why are these accounts so sparse?<br />
<br />
As Starr explains:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Throughout most of history the prevailing belief was that people are shaped not by experiences but by destiny -- meaning who you are is pre-determined. In the Bhagavad-Gita -- the Hindu Scripture dating back thousands of years -- personality is attributed to a mix of the three inborn personality types called the gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas), plus the karmic traits carried over from previous lives. Today, we call that view the biological or nature explanation: You're wired to be who you are, with inborn tendencies and characteristics that supersede personal experiences and direct you to particular experiences.</span></blockquote>
In other words, to ancient people it was far more important to understand where a person was going than to understand where he came from.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">According to the destiny view, if you survive to adulthood -- no small feat when we consider the huge child mortality rates through much of history -- you will become the person of your inborn and predetermined destiny. If that's the case, why even bother to examine life experiences? They would have little explanatory value. Moses was simply destined to be a prophet, and according to Christian Scripture Jesus was meant to be the Messiah. </span></blockquote>
<div>
I am not sure how accurate Starr is in his understanding of the minds of people in the ancient middle east. After all, the Jews in the Gospel according to John seem fairly obsessed with where Jesus has come from.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But that is my point. They don't know where Jesus comes from. They keep saying He is from Galilee when we all know He is from Bethlehem in Judea. Even more, He is from heaven, from God. Yet all of that is a moot point if we do not know where Jesus is going.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><b>He is going to the cross.</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>He is going to rise again.</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>He is going back to the Father.</b></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These are the things that define Jesus. These are the keys to knowing Him, not only as a historical figure, not only as God, but as the God-in-the-flesh who has come from heaven to take you where He is going.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We all know where we are from. We are from such and such a place. We have stories to tell and scars to show. We have secrets to keep and skeletons to hide in our closets. And psychoanalysis would tell you that you need to understand those things, you need to accept them, in order to see who you really are, in order to discover your identity.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jesus calls poppycock. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The gift of God in Christ is that our identity is no longer determined by where we have been, but by where we are going. We are headed straight for <b><i>the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come</i></b>. That is your destiny in Christ. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And where you are going shows you who you are. You are a child of God. You are forgiven. You are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why do you think that God spends so much time reminding you of who He has declared you to be? He does it in Baptism, Absolution, the Lord's Supper. He tells you your destiny in all the best hymns and all the best sermons.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
God knows where you have come from. It is the same place as everyone else: sin. And He has taken care of that mess with the death and resurrection of Jesus.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now God tells you where you are going because of what He has done. You are going to the place that He has prepared for you: a new heaven and new earth, the home of righteousness. </div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
</div>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-56107762474096158982015-01-30T06:25:00.002-06:002015-01-30T06:25:56.010-06:00What Do We Really Want When We Ask for Contemporary Worship?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdtHe5VlLQu-rbv7nqULnRIdrGHwtOCAIomDDX4ryiTVVHO1bWU3feiaG3aeWAzWyUE-CUS9WhFIWvo67qJmcaD69fjmc1tFpASHfH8iDECDVyUBbrYXrJUrG_fxDIQazMXO76pkBYYgn/s1600/breads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdtHe5VlLQu-rbv7nqULnRIdrGHwtOCAIomDDX4ryiTVVHO1bWU3feiaG3aeWAzWyUE-CUS9WhFIWvo67qJmcaD69fjmc1tFpASHfH8iDECDVyUBbrYXrJUrG_fxDIQazMXO76pkBYYgn/s1600/breads.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In his most recent <i>Issues Etc Journal </i>Todd Wilken has this to say about our Sunday morning worship services:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
What if, when that Sunday morning visitor wandered into church, we made it clear to him that this is the Lord's Day and the Lord's house because the Lord Himself-Jesus-is there? What if everything we said and did while he was visiting our church-every word, gesture, action, song and prayer-clearly confessed this? What if, instead of reengineering the day to fit his expectations, we taught him to expect nothing less than Jesus, in person, forgiving sins?</blockquote>
Wilken's line of questioning is right on the money. What is missing from Christian worship is not the right style of music or the right kind of decorations. What is often missing is Jesus. Many churches fail to preach anything resembling the Gospel, and settle for self-help instructions for better living.<br />
<br />
Yet even among those churches where Christ is proclaimed regularly and the Lord's Supper is celebrated frequently, there still seems to be something else missing. I will call it <i>JOY</i>. <br />
<br />
Lutherans in particular seem to get the reverence thing right. We are very respectful of the fact that we are in the presence of Jesus. We take it seriously. And that is a very good thing.<br />
<br />
But what about the awe? What about the joy? Should these also not be part of our reaction when we come into the presence of Jesus Christ? I think so.<br />
<br />
The Roman church thinks of Jesus as our great Judge, so they believe we must approach Him with fear and trembling, that we must come to Him only through other intermediaries like Mary and the Apostles. <br />
<br />
This is not, however, the Lutheran way. Lutherans confess that Jesus comes to us Himself. He is not only our Judge, but also our Advocate. He is not trying to hide behind intermediaries, but giving us all of Himself all the time. We should come to Him reverently, but also joyfully. We should approach, not trembling with fear, but struck with awe that God would come to us.<br />
<br />
The reason I say this is because people often think that contemporary worship styles will create this sense of joy and awe. If we change the music, make it more exciting, then people will want to come to church. If we get a more exhilarating preacher, then people will not only stay awake for the message, but be excited to come and hear it.<br />
<br />
To be fair, their concerns are for outreach and evangelism. It is often older members who suggest these things because they want their children and grandchildren to be in worship, to be excited about coming to church. And who can blame them?<br />
<br />
What if, as Wilken suggests, we acted like Jesus was really there on Sunday mornings, because He is? What if, when people asked why you went to church you responded with, "So that I could hear and receive Jesus"? What if you rolled out of bed each Sunday morning exhilarated at the thought of bringing your family into the presence of God, who suffered and died for them? What if Lutherans sang their hymns with joy and spoke their responses with all the happiness that the Gospel can bring?<br />
<br />
"This is the Word of the Lord."<br />
<br />
"<b><i>THANKS BE TO GOD!</i></b>"<br />
<br />
If this were the case I think we would put to death any discussion about contemporary worship forms in our midst. No one would care about changing the form, because hearts would be changed already. Nobody would be asking for a rock band when they so clearly see Jesus, not only in the words that are preached, but in the pious and joyful responses of the congregation.<br />
<br />
Jesus is present on Sunday morning. <b><i>Amen!</i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-12808111335473995782015-01-15T20:48:00.000-06:002015-01-15T20:59:40.200-06:00No, JK Rowling, You Were Not Born Christian, and You Are Responsible for Other Christians<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<img src="http://static2.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/jkrowling2012.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On January 9 Rupert Murdoch tweeted this: “Maybe most Moslems
peaceful, but until they recognize and destroy their growing jihadist cancer
they must be held responsible” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To this author JK Rowling responded: “I was born
Christian. If that makes Rupert Murdoch
my responsibility, I’ll auto-excommunicate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whatever you think of Rupert Murdoch, and whatever you think
of JK Rowling, this does make an interesting exchange. My concern, however, is not with Murdoch’s
view of Muslims, nor Rowling’s. I am far
more interested in her statement about Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, I am not an expert on Rupert Murdoch and I will not comment
on his faith, but I will take JK Rowling at her word and assume that she is
indeed a Christian. And that makes her
tweet problematic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First, Christians are not born, they are made. Most Christians hold to the doctrine of
Original Sin which confesses that human beings are conceived in a state of
unrighteousness. You must enter the
Christian Church through the sacrament of Baptism where you are <i>reborn</i> as righteous in the sight of
God. You are made a Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even the Christian denominations that do not hold to Original
Sin still generally believe that one must confess faith in Jesus Christ before
becoming a Christian. So Rowling’s
statement simply does not make any sense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps she was referring to her natural birth placing her as
a citizen of the United Kingdom, which automatically makes her a member of the
Church of England. This is also
wrong. The Anglican Church, although it
“services” anyone within the boarders of its jurisdiction, only counts as
members those who are baptized. So JK
Rowling was not born a Christian. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Second, Christians are responsible for one another. This </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">hearkens </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">all the way back to Cain being
called out by God for murdering his brother able. Cain’s infamous response to God asking where
his brother was has become idiomatic: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The implied response is, “YES!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Apostles’ Creed calls it “the communion of saints”. One needs only to think of the numerous times
Jesus refers his disciples as “brothers”.
Their brother is not a fellow human, although that may be true in a
certain sense, but is a brother in Christ, a brother by faith in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No Christian is an island.
We are all connected to Jesus Christ and that means we are all connected
to one another through Him. To call
yourself a Christian is to necessitate that you are indeed responsible for
other Christians. So if Murdoch is a
Christian then Rowling is responsible for him, a fact that she implicitly
acknowledges by responding to his tweets in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This certainly does not mean that one Christian should be
punished for the crimes of another. I do
not think Murdoch was suggesting such a thing about Muslims wither. I think, however, that if a man blew up a
building in the name of Jesus it would be necessary for all Christians to
condemn the action. In fact, I believe
Christians would be tripping over themselves to speak out against
violence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rowling later tweeted that by Rupert’s logic she is
responsible for the Spanish Inquisition and “all Christian fundamentalist
violence.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This puzzles me a bit because I am at a loss for what type of
fundamentalist violence she might be referring to. I cannot remember the last time I saw a
headline about Christian fundamentalists massacring innocents. I am certain that Christians do commit
atrocities from time to time, but the scale of Muslim violence has taken things
to a new level. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Inquisition is an interesting case. Am I, as a Christian, responsible for acts of
violence that happened hundreds of years ago?
Again, if you are asking if I deserve to be punished for the actions of
the king and queen of Spain, then no. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I would, however, be remiss if I did not condemn their
actions. Not only that, but I should live in such a way as to show that all
human life is precious. Pastors should
teach their congregations that non-Christians should not, indeed cannot, be
converted at the point of a sword. To
remain quiet on such matters is to condone the violent behavior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is where Muslims seem to be lagging behind. If Islam is really a religion of peace, then
peaceful Muslims need to prove it, not just by living peacefully, but by openly
and vigorously condemning violence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Christians are responsible for the care of those around
them. One follower of Christ cannot see
another in need and ignore them. To do
so would be to deny the Christian faith.
This includes those who are in need of correction in their
doctrine. If I encounter a Christian who
seems to be confused and is making a false confession of their faith, then I
have a responsibility to correct them, or at least point them to someone who
can. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was not born a Christian, but I am responsible for and to
those who also have been baptized into Christ Jesus. That makes, in some small way, JK Rowling’s
tweet my responsibility. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-66959270843866045942015-01-07T11:56:00.000-06:002015-01-07T11:56:31.803-06:00Epiphany Is for the Riffraff Like You<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<img alt="" height="212" id="yui_3_5_1_4_1420653288920_790" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z3cgqdBq3PrzzGRIwJr5KOpumo-C4n9_CxgVfMlzbQ_UYYB1HnFDYDUJEdW6DzdkitxRbwfmLQIDZJ5Ngk-TbWH991MeIrp6KG5Ce2YR_8E55lTSdA0tmjc2OB1l0b25kjJzsNYGbjE/s320/Punk_rockers_by_Acharai.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 800px;" width="320" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Epiphany is your reason to
celebrate the life of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without it
there is still good reason for any descendents of Abraham to rejoice, but for
anyone else, no dice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christmas
is really for the Jews, not for Gentiles, as most of us are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see this repeatedly in the Gospel readings
following Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are the
Jewish shepherds on Christmas night, the people of Bethlehem, Simeon and Anna
in the Temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do all these have in
common?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all have the same
ancestors, the same pedigree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
on the inside track for salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were Jews.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
tonight is different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is startlingly
different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Epiphany is not for the
Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is for gentiles, and not just
any gentiles, but the worst kind that you can think of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magi.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wise
Men” is an awful translation of what these guys really were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not wise at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not seek Jesus because they were
really smart, but God leads them to Jesus in spite of their stupidity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were psychics, palm readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in the minds of the Jews they were about
on the same moral level as drug dealers and prostitutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
this is precisely the type of person that Jesus came to save.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have become really comfortable with the
idea of outreach in the American church, as long as we are reaching out to the
right kids of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that the
Gospel is for everyone, but everyone really refers to people who are mostly
like us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
know what I mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Clean, self-reliant, emotionally steady, preferably of German descent,
but English-speaking people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
Jesus came for the Magi, the wannabe fortune tellers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came for outcasts and exiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came for the ones with the green spiky
hair, the tattoos, and all those things pierced into their face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This night is for the homosexuals, child
molesters, gang bangers, drug addicts, and anyone else who comes to mind when
we think , “Boy, I’m glad <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i> are
not sitting next to me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
is revealed on Epiphany as the Savior of the Undesirables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who has been rejected by God in the
past for any reason, as well-deserved as it might have been, will now be
welcomed with open arms into the kingdom of God.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wait
a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What kind of a place is
this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Church is for Magi?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For rejects?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For sinners?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, then maybe I
want to rethink my membership.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perhaps
the reason this is such a difficult realization is that it means something for
who we must admit that we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we
could find ourselves sitting next to a drug addict in church, well then maybe
that means I am just as bad as they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
it does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and I and the Magi and the
prostitutes and the punk rockers all belong in the same exact category:
sinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all equally guilty before
the judgment seat of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
on this night Jesus Christ is revealed as the Savior of all those sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you have a decision to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you belong with them or not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you need Jesus or not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I think you know what the right answer
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all need Jesus, so we are all
part of the riffraff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
when we come to that realization, dragged kicking and screaming by the power of
the Holy Spirit, it is time to rejoice, for Jesus has come precisely for the
riffraff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
eats and socializes with the rejects of society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at His eating habits and you will see
that Jesus shared table with both prostitutes and tax collectors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would share a meal with the likes of drug
dealers and porn addicts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would share
a table with you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
dies for sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died for the
thieves on His right and left, although one rejected Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died for the liars who perjured themselves
to get Him convicted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died for the
Gentile soldiers who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died for the worst of the worst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That includes us here tonight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
rises for sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His resurrection is
not for the living, obviously, but for the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living men don’t need to be raised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only the dead do, the worst of the
worst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dead in sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dead in trespasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
Now, baptized
into Christ we are raised with Him, from death to life, from sin to righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worst of the worst are given the best of
the best, guaranteed life in the world to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is our hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is our comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
is the only source of hope for people like the Magi, like us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other sources try to give hope in tragedy and
disaster, but Jesus shows them all to be grasping at straws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The news media has made a valiant attempt,
but they fail.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Have
you ever noticed, especially recently, how the news, whenever there is a
tragedy, tries to end their coverage on what they think is an uplifting
note?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is a tornado, then the
focus on what was not blown away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
there are several fatalities, they focus on the lone survivor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because they don’t know how to handle the
reality of death and destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
know that people want and need hope, but they just don’t know where to look for
it, so they give a half-hope, a false hope.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
But it rings
hollow to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that it is not
really all that good of news that one building out of ten survived the
tornado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it may comfort us to know
that one little girl survived a plane crash, what about her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is she comforted by that knowledge?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we not think that that 7-year-old would
give anything, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anything</i></b>, to see those family members again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course she would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Only
the Christ of Epiphany has that kind of hope<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b>for the entire world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has given everything, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything</i></b>, to ensure
that disaster can and will be transformed into triumph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dead can and will be raised to new life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today
He gives that hope to Jews <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i></b> Gentiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He promises forgiveness, life, and salvation
to those who look like us and to those who do not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we know that Jesus is the hope of
sinners, the hope for us, and for all those who in that way are exactly like
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324573067259123464.post-14166125663184136172015-01-06T22:40:00.005-06:002015-01-06T22:43:54.420-06:00Would You Like Some Blood With Your Wine?<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<img src="http://ihoppe.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/image_thumb17.png" height="191" width="200" /><br />
<br />
The Lutheran Confessions at times speak of the Sacraments as "signs". Philip Melanchthon writes in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, "<i>The sacraments are not only signs among men, but signs of God's will toward us; so it is correct to define the New Testament sacraments as signs of grace. There are two parts to a sacrament the sign and the Word.</i>" (Apol. XXIV)<br />
<br />
I think Melanchthon is saying that in a sacrament we must distinguish between two things: the sign and the Word. So what is the sign, and what is the Word?<br />
<br />
In baptism water is the sign. In the Lord's Supper the sign is the bread and wine. What does it mean to say that the water in baptism is a "sign"? In what way can we call the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper a sign?<br />
<br />
This is difficult and fraught with danger since in the United States of America the most popular view of the sacraments comes out of the Reformed tradition of the Church. Especially prevalent in American Evangelicalism is the idea that the sacraments themselves are merely signs or symbols of some other reality.<br />
<br />
In contrast to this Lutherans, along with those in the vast majority of Christian traditions, view the sacraments as acts of God. A sacrament is "God at work," as one pastor has put it. In Baptism, in the Lord's Supper, God is doing something to you.<br />
<br />
Yet there are still signs within the sacrament themselves. So this is the distinction that must be made: water is a sign, but Baptism is not. Bread and wine are a sign, but Communion is not a sign. It is the thing itself.<br />
<br />
A sign in the sacrament is the thing that is seen, the tangible object. In baptism that is the water. In Communion it is the bread and wine. But to these signs God has added His Word. He has put a promise in the water. He has mixed the covenant of His blood in with that wine.<br />
<br />
The water in baptism is a sign. All we see in the font is normal H<span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span>O. Yet to this everyday, ordinary, tap water God adds the promise that those who believe and are baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16). He attaches the guarantee that our sinful nature dies and a new man is resurrected to live before God in righteousness forever (Romans 6:1-11). So God is active in this sacrament. He is forgiving your sins, washing them away by the power of His Word, yet the water remains water. <br />
<br />
An analogy can be drawn from the words of the angel to the shepherds in Luke 2:11-12. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i> "<span class="text Luke-2-11" id="en-ESV-24976" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">For <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24976A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24976A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>unto you is born this day in <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24976B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24976B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the city of David <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24976C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24976C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>a Savior, who is <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24976D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24976D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>Christ <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24976E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24976E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the Lord.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Luke-2-12" id="en-ESV-24977" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">And <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24977F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24977F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-24977G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-24977G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span class="text Luke-2-12" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<img src="http://dailytimewithgod.com/http://dailytimewithgod.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/2012/12/baby-jesus-in-manger.jpg" height="200" width="148" /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
The <u>sign</u>, that which is seen, is the baby lying in a manger. From all outward appearances He is nothing extraordinary; a baby like any other. The <u>promise</u> is that this baby is <b><i>Christ the Lord</i></b>. Because God is present in this child He is much more than He appears. This thing that is so seemingly fragile and weak is actually the most potent and powerful being in the universe because God is at work in Him.<br />
<br />
The thing seen is the water. The promise is that in that water our sins are forgiven and we are reborn by the power of the Holy Spirit. God is present in this water with His Word making us new.<br />
<br />
The thing seen is the bread, the wine. The promise is that in, with, and under this is the body and blood of Jesus granting the forgiveness of our sins and fellowship with God and His Church. God is present in this bread and wine feeding us with the very sacrifice that accomplished our salvation 2000 years ago.<br />
<br />
God gives signs so that His people can be certain they have actually received a gift. God could simply tell us that His body and blood is located somewhere in a certain vicinity or that rebirth by the Holy Spirit will happen eventually. But He likes to be more specific and concrete than that. To that end He gives us signs in the sacraments that we may see and feel and taste when God is at work.<br />
<br />
When the water washes over you it is certain that God is cleansing you of your sins, putting to death the sinner and raising to life a new saint. When you taste the bread and wine it is unmistakable that the body and blood of Jesus is entering into you and giving the very redemption that it earned.Joshuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486895740291453415noreply@blogger.com0