tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31083818570293332742023-11-17T00:48:52.045+11:00PENINSULA CITY CHURCHPeninsulaCityChurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06070751043447653318noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-6152604365471806532021-05-25T21:20:00.002+10:002021-05-25T21:20:13.568+10:00The Church - Part Three by Ps Michael Podhaczky<p><span class="normaltextrun" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoF2xAwNT-q_CAVCCHQcoNbwDWX0hyphenhyphen3B8AnU-1lP3FwBBwrecH9KTboAu9pVMGiFJYfbByS6OtNamdCqyu4MB8jGUEsVwYLtan1DRDghgbTc_qNVNPfO4XMSFbJBAQrRVP_6kgnbnAvmY/s1013/the+church+part+three+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoF2xAwNT-q_CAVCCHQcoNbwDWX0hyphenhyphen3B8AnU-1lP3FwBBwrecH9KTboAu9pVMGiFJYfbByS6OtNamdCqyu4MB8jGUEsVwYLtan1DRDghgbTc_qNVNPfO4XMSFbJBAQrRVP_6kgnbnAvmY/s320/the+church+part+three+image.jpg" /></a></div>It was asked in the previous blogs, “What’s your
understanding of the church?” In this blog it is suggested that,
the church has a number of God give purposes to
fulfil. Some will be mentioned here (this is in no way
meant to be an exhaustive list).<span class="eop" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><p></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Firstly, it could be said
that, the central purpose of the church is to
be holy, and this came through Christ’s holy
atoning work, 1 Pet 2:9. This holiness is first, so that the
church is able to stand before God. So, the believer’s standing,
both individually and collectively, is in Christ holiness. Then
secondly, this is so that the church can live
in practical holiness, Heb 12:14.</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another purpose is to be a worshipping community. That is, the
church is to show the worthiness of God who is to
receive all honour. Genuine worship focuses on
the God and not on the church, Jn 4:23-24. As God alone, is
worshipped, believers are blessed and spiritually strengthened,
through worship is a lifestyle. So, every aspect of a churches
life should be characterised by a desire to worship and glorify God,
1 Cor 10:31.</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">An additional purpose is that, the church is to be a family in
unity and participation with one another. The following are some
of the areas concerning this, </span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Salvation:
Phil 2:1</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As
the Body of Christ: Eph 3:9</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Unity
through the Spirit: Phil 2:1</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Generosity:
2 Cor 8:4</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Suffering: Acts
4:23; 5:41</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sharing
the gospel: Acts 4:31</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Prayer: Acts 2:14,42;
4:31; 12:5,12; 13:3; 16:25</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
Lord’s Supper: Acts 2:14</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Eating
together: Acts 2:46</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A final area dealt with here is the sharing of
the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people around
us</span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">and making disciples. Christ in
His commissioning deployed the church to preach
the good news. This was to be done both at home and around the world,
Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8. The world needs the good news about Jesus, which we
have received. So, we need to give it away to those around us</span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">so that they can become disciples.</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, coming back to the opening question “What’s your understanding of
the church?”</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>PeninsulaCityChurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06070751043447653318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-43049198495675623302021-05-18T12:11:00.002+10:002021-05-18T12:11:24.309+10:00The Church - Part Two by Ps Michael Podhaczky<p><span class="normaltextrun" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2ZvkPjzWnhz8IllY1cfhyUwbaZlr0QuHx_Gt4ORXnGEvosRfGw7kxswzUmmBbNc2thQtPQNlqaU_Oy2_X0JcXtqW3nHmkR7FjD4dfdk5fwN4udyaCEHZSOgM0EMIDS61M0pSBFRmncw/s1920/blog+week+2+the+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2ZvkPjzWnhz8IllY1cfhyUwbaZlr0QuHx_Gt4ORXnGEvosRfGw7kxswzUmmBbNc2thQtPQNlqaU_Oy2_X0JcXtqW3nHmkR7FjD4dfdk5fwN4udyaCEHZSOgM0EMIDS61M0pSBFRmncw/s320/blog+week+2+the+church.jpg" /></a></div>It was asked in an earlier blog, “What’s your
understanding of the church?” We briefly saw what
Jesus and what Paul had to say<span class="normaltextrun" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> plus </span></span><span class="normaltextrun" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">some of the perspectives. One of
these perspectives was a theologically one, i.e. the
church is not the Kingdom of God, but is part of the Kingdom of
God. The kingdom of God is God’s rule over
creation. Remarkably, the gospels never defined what
the Kingdom of God is, however it would be helpful
for us to try to understand the idea. </span></span><span class="eop" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><p></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The idea of the Kingdom of God has two
basic features. Firstly, that it is God
as King who rules,
reigns, has dominion and authority over this
kingdom. While secondly it includes the dominion of His
rule, i.e. His territory and His people.</span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are actually three interchangeable phrases used in
Scripture in relation to these two features; the Kingdom of
God (Mk 1:15), the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 4:17), and
the Kingdom of Christ (Eph 5:5), which fundamentally
mean the same thing. Although, it is important to remember
that, the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are
used interchangeably by Matthew, (Matt 19:23-24).</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, if that is the case and the church is not the Kingdom, rather
within the sphere of Kingdom of God,
then how can this help us understand the
church? A useful example for this
purpose was proposed by the theologian B.B. Warfield.
He understood the church as part of the Kingdom of God
and having distinct parts, which were nevertheless united to operate under
God’s sovereignty. That is it is,</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God’s
people</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God’s
people in God’s place</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God’s
people in God’s place under God’s rule</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; overflow-wrap: break-word; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">God’s
people in God’s place under God’s rule living God’s way</span></span><span class="superscript"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1</span></sup></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This is a valuable positional and
practical way of seeing the church. The
church needs to be understood from God’s positional status
shown in Gal 2:20 and as His practical outworking explained
in Eph 5:2-5. It is helpful to read and live
moving back and forward between these two sections of
Scripture. This highlights
the tension that God’s people are facing in
God’s place under God’s rule endeavoring to live God’s
way. Thus, this is life for the
Christ-follower within Kingdom life, this side of heaven.</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, coming back to the opening question “What’s your understanding of
the church?”</span></span><span class="eop"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>PeninsulaCityChurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06070751043447653318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-61015081221603959852021-05-11T08:30:00.004+10:002021-05-11T08:30:00.208+10:00The Church - Part One by Ps Michael Podhaczky<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQ93dSlM2gKY3g-HKdVYDnwF-kk5AulFE7mQvodYI0DFg9XZN0ynksrkQZgcgiJJbNQ97-FC6DsRh0QnzfQUknQZ8cRnoimtPuyFrVBY_Vd12f1VIkDDZJ8R_IJgvdjRzUhCjAMYsrnU/s1920/church+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQ93dSlM2gKY3g-HKdVYDnwF-kk5AulFE7mQvodYI0DFg9XZN0ynksrkQZgcgiJJbNQ97-FC6DsRh0QnzfQUknQZ8cRnoimtPuyFrVBY_Vd12f1VIkDDZJ8R_IJgvdjRzUhCjAMYsrnU/s320/church+1.jpg" /></a></div><span class="normaltextrun" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What’s your understanding of the church? The phrase
‘the church’ has variety uses today. For
example, the Oxford Dictionary states that it is, “a
building for public [usually Christian] worship; a meeting for public
worship.”</span></span><span class="superscript" style="text-align: justify;"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1</span></sup></span><span class="normaltextrun" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> While two extreme thoughts of what
the church is are the following; firstly, that it
is a governmental body, with rules and
regulations, creating a closed community, or secondly,
that there is no need for a structured church but a loose
gathering, based on a passage like, “where two or three are gathered
in my name,” Matt 18:20. But, this idea takes the verse out of
context. But, are these the real meaning
of what the church is? </span></span><span class="eop" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><p></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, what is the church and what did Jesus Christ and the
Bible have to say about the church?
Well in answering the second question first Jesus Christ said
that, “I will build <u>My</u> Church” (Matt 16:8 ESV). He
is good for His word and has been building His own organic
living church which is His people. Paul within the
context of husbands loving their wives, said, Christ loved the Church
and gave His life for it, Eph 5:25. This highlights the
passion and devotion that He has for His church.</span></span><span class="eop"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, (in answering the first question) what is
the church? From a community perspective, it is
God’s redeemed and called-out ones who share
a relationship with Christ and each other. Theologically, the church
is not the Kingdom of God, but is part of the Kingdom of God. Symbolically
it is the body of Christ, both local and universal.</span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> The universal church is the
saints </span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">through the ages,
including those on earth and those in heaven. As a value to hold
to and live by, it has been said that,</span></span><span class="eop"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 21pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
Church is the body of Christ, an organic whole; those who are chosen from
before the foundation of the world constitute its members; they are gathered by
the Son of God through His Spirit and Word in all ages and from nations of the
world so that the church on earth manifests itself as the gathering of
believers and their seed.”</span></span><span class="superscript"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2</span></sup></span><span class="eop"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As a local church Peninsula City Church has stated in its constitution
that,</span></span><span class="eop"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 21.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 21pt; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We
believe that there is one true universal church, made up of genuine believers,
but this one universal church is composed of many local churches in given
localities. These churches under the sovereign headship of the Lord Jesus
Christ, exercising autonomous government under Him, administering all local
affairs and ministry, as well as the propagation of the gospel.”</span></span><span class="superscript"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">3</span></sup></span><span class="eop"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="paragraph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-kerning: none; margin: 0cm; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, coming back to the opening question “What’s your understanding of
the church?”</span></span><span class="eop"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>PeninsulaCityChurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06070751043447653318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-45202513512813934662021-05-04T08:30:00.001+10:002021-05-04T08:30:00.207+10:00Make - by Pastor Michael Podhaczky<p> <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stop for a moment and think about your
life; how are things going? Are you rushing from appointment to appointment,
person to person, or task to task without giving it much thought? Paul said to
the local church in Ephesus,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15</span></sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who
are wise. <sup>16</sup> Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days”
(Eph 5:15-16 NLT).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I read these thoughts the other day
and was re-challenged for living my days. I am not sure who wrote this, but it’s
challenging. Why not stop and read what they had to say?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Every minute someone leaves this
world behind. We are all in “the line” without knowing it. We never know how
many people are before us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We cannot move to the back of the
line. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We cannot step out of the line.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We cannot avoid the line. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, while we wait in line.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make moments count. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make priorities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make the time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make your gifts known. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make a nobody feel like a somebody.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make your voice heard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make the small things big. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make someone smile. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make the change. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make love. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make up. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make peace. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make sure to tell your people they
are loved. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make sure to have no regrets. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make sure you are ready.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/melan/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/0F8XF084/Make...%20210419%20v3.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in His presence for a moment and think
this over…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/melan/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/0F8XF084/Make...%20210419%20v3.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><a href="https://thestoryfilm.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">https://thestoryfilm.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> (19<sup>th</sup> April 2021).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>PeninsulaCityChurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06070751043447653318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-57704079875867416022021-04-27T12:23:00.002+10:002021-04-27T12:23:58.524+10:00Selah! By Ps Jim Jung<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaxBjzUDzHsS-xEpMIzaVagfQxpdqu0shAZP1wGx7FklBMM_ZKVgV2_RM10pX51uE-L_NE_l1988YENwew-OjuX43NRgVOL77DiiVgGA2f_gJ2aBE-RufR_kr_Qt4AtVYOqpLV4mFBo0/s1080/selah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaxBjzUDzHsS-xEpMIzaVagfQxpdqu0shAZP1wGx7FklBMM_ZKVgV2_RM10pX51uE-L_NE_l1988YENwew-OjuX43NRgVOL77DiiVgGA2f_gJ2aBE-RufR_kr_Qt4AtVYOqpLV4mFBo0/s320/selah.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Selah!<br />If you read the book of Psalms you discover this little word - Selah (some versions
say Interlude) strategically placed at the end of various paragraphs. The basic concept
of the word is to – ‘pause and think.’ Selah was probably a musical term that was
inserted into the musical score causing the musicians to pause and look up at the
conductor, ensuring they were all in unison, whilst regaining rhythm and focus.
For us, Selah is a moment to press the pause button, and take a breath in the midst of
busyness and stress. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sometimes simply stopping and allowing the Holy Spirit to wash
over us allows us to regain our rhythm and focus, recognise the Master Conductor is
in control, before re-entering the fray.
King David understood the need for Selah moments. Psalm 3 was written during one
of the most testing times in his life, during which he discovered the importance of
pausing; to look up and see God orchestrating and conducting. He writes:<br /><br /><i>“O LORD, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are
saying, “God will never rescue him!” Selah.” (Psalm 3:1-2) </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Enemies, opposition and sceptics were lining up to take King David down. Pressure
was raining down on him from all sides. Yet before reacting, he chose to press the
pause button, ending his opening thought with a Selah moment. In that instant King
David allowed the divine Conductor to reveal Himself as he looked away from his
tormentors and into the eyes of his God. That Selah moment changed his position so
dramatically that instead of lashing out at his oppressors he began to declare: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>“But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who
holds my head high. I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his
holy mountain. Selah.” (Psalm 3:3-4)</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Those who were attempting to harm him were no match for the God that responded
during that Selah moment. David recognised that the “…many” against him were no
match for the God who was for him! He declared God as his protector (shield), his
confidence (shown by the lifting of his head) remaining steadfast in the God of Glory.
And because of this he goes on to state: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>“I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching
over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every
side.” (Psalm 3:5-6)</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the midst of turmoil, in the face of rising opposition and trouble, David was able to
find rest. He lay down and slept, though the enemies were ever-increasing in number!
He realised he could do nothing and abandoned himself to the protection and care of
the Lord. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As you face the challenges of this day, add a Selah moment that allows you to pause
and recognise that the Master Conductor is awaiting your gaze.</span></p><p><br /></p>PeninsulaCityChurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06070751043447653318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-70294388242660088752021-04-20T08:30:00.003+10:002021-04-20T08:30:00.188+10:00Now What? by Ps Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY10-vXfIJ1Ei7CQ03rT3CPFZZtSvaNY71aBhu88schr0U8VGsP2_zh9K_2mPstWaVEpaJD0xe1-6H9aAabz3kpnwxe4vtoUnjF5jDEasjcnNZqhQEiybP3Fv1GoWajjHZ764KDLYbxcg/s1920/now+what.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY10-vXfIJ1Ei7CQ03rT3CPFZZtSvaNY71aBhu88schr0U8VGsP2_zh9K_2mPstWaVEpaJD0xe1-6H9aAabz3kpnwxe4vtoUnjF5jDEasjcnNZqhQEiybP3Fv1GoWajjHZ764KDLYbxcg/s320/now+what.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Easter is over and the hot cross buns and Easter eggs are gone until next year. For
many a Christ-follower that is about the size of it; think about the cross and resurrection
next year. But Paul would have something to say about that mind-set. In Philippians 3:7-
11 he laid out his life goal. Sitting under house arrest he wrote the letter. He encouraged
the church to rejoice and stand firm in unity, in the midst of sufferings (like Christ - 2:5-
11). They are to press towards the goal of knowing Jesus Christ their Lord.
In Philippians 3:4-6, Paul gave a brief account of past achievements, valuable assets to
his contemporaries. He used the language of business (gain/loss), putting things into
perspective. Hold these thoughts as we look at Philippians 3:7-11.
7
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8
Indeed, I count
everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish,
in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of
my own that comes from the Law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the
righteousness from God that depends on faith 10 that I may know Him and the
power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His
death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
Paul had a change of attitude toward things he once valued, now counting them as
liabilities. His radical revaluation was for “the sake of Christ”. The personal knowledge of
Christ Jesus was and is of surpassing worth. Paul fully expressed his life goal when he
said “he wants to be found in Him,” i.e. completely united with Jesus.
He did not want mere head knowledge but a personal relationship. This was energised
by the power of Christ’s resurrection that raised Christ from the dead. This power of the
resurrection is also at work in us. Paul said that to know Christ is to “share in His
suffering,” becoming like Him in His death. Philippians 2:5-11 is the contextual backdrop
of sharing in His suffering. Paul desired to press on toward that goal of the competed
work of the power of the resurrection of his life. This was God’s work; as Paul could not
raise himself. Only those who have died in Christ are resurrected in Christ.
Circumstances and people can rob us of joy, but so can things; these are the kinds of
topics that Paul dealt with in the passages. We need to freely reject all claims to self assurance. All that may be of personal profit needs to be rejected to gain Jesus. So, our
motive for counting all things as the loss is Christ. Seek to identify with Christ in His
resurrection, and His suffering. Through the sufferings that will come, the resurrection
power of Jesus is manifested in our lives as Christ-followers. Therefore, Paul
encourages us towards perseverance, unity and joy in our challenges, that we may
know Christ in His fullness. We are encouraged to know Him passionately; joyfully
sharing in His resurrected power and suffering that may come. In Philippians 3:12-14,
Paul stressed that he had not yet arrived at the fullness of knowing Christ, but pressed
on towards that goal. Be encouraged post-Easter to press on toward that goal; let it
become your life goal</span><p></p>PeninsulaCityChurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06070751043447653318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-41026062611319510832021-04-13T08:30:00.001+10:002021-04-13T08:30:00.205+10:00 Growing in Gratitude and Generosity by Diyanne Podhaczky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL32TfI0NQZWItUvRhjjRkmVKlgErBKMb-8Zj-SAEMx4JfmTvJMxa-8m1Va767bCGxapvwVA9ZQTWWQBJl5bvjE0ANASttzrDkakY-pbcGfmzdORPu8tCSD093TtS5_Ila7jNHnuOuVs/s2048/dylan-ferreira-SCwDA7kegqo-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1638" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL32TfI0NQZWItUvRhjjRkmVKlgErBKMb-8Zj-SAEMx4JfmTvJMxa-8m1Va767bCGxapvwVA9ZQTWWQBJl5bvjE0ANASttzrDkakY-pbcGfmzdORPu8tCSD093TtS5_Ila7jNHnuOuVs/s320/dylan-ferreira-SCwDA7kegqo-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">There are times in my life when I am incredibly grateful for my life, my family, my friends, and my surroundings etc. Then there are also times when I forget how blessed I am</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">,</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> and it</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> i</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">s at those times that I think I take things for granted</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">.</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> Gratitude does</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">n</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">o</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">t always just flow out of my life. Sometimes it</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> i</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">s a discipline. But here is the amazing thing</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">,</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">w</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">hen I choose to be grateful, when I sit down and count my blessings, I find at least two things happen. I become more joyful, filled to overflowing. </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">What is more</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">,</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> that overflow of joy is not mere exuberance. It leads to the second consequence of gratitude, which is generosity.</span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text;"> </span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{5693e140-312d-4e3f-bd3d-55cf19e0d81f}{204}" paraid="1090680836" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{5693e140-312d-4e3f-bd3d-55cf19e0d81f}{208}" paraid="226950462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">The Bible tells us to be generous. Deuteronomy 15:10 says that we are to</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">,</span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{5693e140-312d-4e3f-bd3d-55cf19e0d81f}{216}" paraid="1752022062" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">“</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">give generously … and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">,</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">.”</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> (NIV)</span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559685":425,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{5693e140-312d-4e3f-bd3d-55cf19e0d81f}{232}" paraid="1590633779" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Then </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Proverbs 11:25</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> says, </span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{5693e140-312d-4e3f-bd3d-55cf19e0d81f}{242}" paraid="1423516410" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">“</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">.</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">”</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> (TNIV)</span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559685":425,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{1}" paraid="689941180" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Jesus</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">’</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> parables and teaching often praised the virtue of generosity and condemned those who hoarded or were selfish</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">, see</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Luke 12:13-21</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">.</span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{19}" paraid="717882047" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{23}" paraid="1055246064" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Some of us feel guilty that we are not more generous. We think we </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">should</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> help the poor</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">;</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> we </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">feel</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> we </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">should</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">donate to a worthy cause; we </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">should</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">sponsor a child; we </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">should </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">give more at church. But ‘</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">should</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">’</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> will not take us very far, unless we</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> a</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">re aiming at guilt.</span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{67}" paraid="231096395" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{71}" paraid="2042030362" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Being more generous </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">can</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> help us to grow. If our aim is to become more like Christ, then we will desire to be more generous because Jesus was generous. He invites us to be generous, not to earn </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">H</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">is favour</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">,</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> but because He knows it will transform our souls.</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">There are many paths to generosity. Unfortunately, having more resources is not necessarily one of them. Many people think they cannot afford to be generous. If they just had a little extra money, they would be generous. But it is simply not true. Wealthy people are not necessarily more generous than those with lesser means.</span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{93}" paraid="1843314899" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{97}" paraid="2031712521" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">But one of the surest paths to generosity is gratitude. If </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">we</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> want to grow in generosity, </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">we need to </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">start by being more grateful. When </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">we</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> believe that God has blessed u</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">s</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> abundantly, </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">we</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> feel grateful. If </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">we</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> do</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">n</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">o</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">t believe He</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> ha</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">s blessed </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">us</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">, </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">we need to </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">sit down and start listing the blessings in our life</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">.</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">A</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">s a spiritual discipline, </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">we</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> can change our thinking, which will change the way </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">we</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> feel</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">,</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> and</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">we </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">will feel grateful. </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">G</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">rateful people are generous because they believe that they can be</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> so</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">. God has given to them abundantly, so it</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> i</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">s easy to share.</span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{185}" paraid="286543351" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{189}" paraid="2009196122" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Do </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">you want more of God, </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">then </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">believe that He</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> i</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">s already given </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">us</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> Himself</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">?</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> Believe</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> that He has provided more than enough for </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">us</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> to be generous. As Jesus said, </span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":120,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{219}" paraid="1631933022" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 28px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">“</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">together,</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">”</span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"> (Luke </span><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">6:38 NIV).</span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559685":426,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{239}" paraid="610365905" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX8 SCXW73030462" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX8 SCXW73030462" paraeid="{04580b31-eaa0-41c3-8ed6-6b7af6fd4859}{243}" paraid="997573371" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN">Diyanne Podhaczky</span><span class="EOP BCX8 SCXW73030462" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":6,"335551620":6,"335559739":160,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Arial, Arial_EmbeddedFont, Arial_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div>PeninsulaCityChurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06070751043447653318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-89915750610970057432021-04-06T08:30:00.001+10:002021-04-06T08:30:00.197+10:00A Go Between Part 2 - by Ps Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1dz8uDh0xb3I5qnpAnb3hyvlFsmYylE5-yPyd1lvuTYwZnatiqf2CfvuRez8LgLIZ6zpjLWING9CBNBr38ljvV1f6GkLCxpp1bkfiIwHynEzle8i8VzycNwuwA81mjcIA_b7hyPKgEo/s480/blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1dz8uDh0xb3I5qnpAnb3hyvlFsmYylE5-yPyd1lvuTYwZnatiqf2CfvuRez8LgLIZ6zpjLWING9CBNBr38ljvV1f6GkLCxpp1bkfiIwHynEzle8i8VzycNwuwA81mjcIA_b7hyPKgEo/s320/blog+2.jpg" /></a></div>In the previous blog, it was stated that
the idea of interceding is to make an appeal on behalf of another; to act as a
go between, or to step in on behalf of events, people and places in the
presence of God. If that is the case, then how do you put this principle into
practice? The following application proposes four parts to this process: the
opportunities, intersections, an <span lang="en-AU" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">interception</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and
then stepping in. Let me explain these four parts.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The first part is about the opportunities.
Opportunities to be a go between are continually </span><span lang="en-AU" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">coming </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">your way. These could be opportunities in the midst of
events, for people and in places. If you are more aware of these opportunities,
you will be ready to see then and respond when they arise.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The second part is that of the </span><span lang="en-AU" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">intersection</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">. Where do most motor accidents happen? They mainly happen at intersections; either
crossroads or T-intersections. Where do most of these opportunities to be a go
between happen? They happen where lives
intersect or run into each other. As you go about your life, the Spirit of God
can bring you into a direct collision course of events, with people and in
places. He wants you to be ready to be a go between at the intersections of
life. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The third part is to be ready to
intercept. In a ball game the ball is passed from player to player, but</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">the other team will try to intercept the ball to their
advantage. So to it is that, you can intercept the promptings of the Spirit of
God. Or else you might simply let things go by and miss an opportunity.
Remember that, it is the Spirit of God and not you who will direct and equip
you to be an effective go between. You just need to be ready and available for
the interception.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The last past is to step into the
situation. Whether you decide to step in and let the Spirit of God use you as a
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">go between</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> is up to you. You need to seek
to find out His will in the situation and pray accordingly. It is in faith that
you wait on the Spirit for Him to answer and direct you as He sees fit.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This should not be considered as
formula, but rather some useful steps. Are you willing to look for
opportunities at the intersections of life, intercept the passes that come your
way, and step into the situations on behalf of others? Are you willing to allow
the Holy Spirit to guide you into becoming a go between?</span></p>PeninsulaCityChurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06070751043447653318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-54475851650141809542021-03-30T14:03:00.007+11:002021-03-30T14:03:33.802+11:00A Go Between - Ps Michael Podhaczky<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyisN8qUbBH1l7fvX0MHYUfp2bxk_kOPeCMU7b-y7LmG4EpwVUkyfWSehvfu7cTviPNGjZD5nk2gAFLnoN4bUmwHtHu579sDWNvyBv9MrGazhyuzTugaccW7Fl0DpqtrUW8FOmVMcOEbM/s2048/jon-tyson-GPVHlxJakao-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyisN8qUbBH1l7fvX0MHYUfp2bxk_kOPeCMU7b-y7LmG4EpwVUkyfWSehvfu7cTviPNGjZD5nk2gAFLnoN4bUmwHtHu579sDWNvyBv9MrGazhyuzTugaccW7Fl0DpqtrUW8FOmVMcOEbM/s320/jon-tyson-GPVHlxJakao-unsplash.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have you ever in been a situation where
you had to be a go between? Maybe you needed to take a message </span><span lang="en-AU" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;">to</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> people who were unable or reluctant to meet. This is the
idea behind the words intercession and intercessor. However, in everyday
language, we discuss intercession as it relates to the idea of prolonged
prayer. However, to </span><span lang="en-AU" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">intercede</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> means to make an appeal on behalf of
another; i.e. act as a go between, to step in on behalf of events, persons and
places</span> <span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-AU" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some Old Testament
examples of intercession are as follows; when Abraham acted as a go between for
Lot and Sodom (Gen 18:16-33), when Moses was the go between for Israel (Ex
33:12-23; Deut 9:25-28), and one last Old Testament example is when Moses and
Aaron were the go between for Israel (Num 16:20-30, 43-50). While there are few
references of intercession in the New Testament, there is a focus on Jesus
Christ the intercessor. There was the time when Jesus Christ was the go between
for Peter (Lk 22:31-32). Likewise, even in His death on the cross, Jesus Christ
was the go between for His murderers (Lk 23:34). Jesus Christ is said to be
constantly making intercession (Heb 7:25). It is through His death and
resurrection that He has the right to be the greatest go between. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-AU" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Consequently,
as Christ-followers we can </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">likewise </span><span lang="en-AU" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">intercede for others, because Jesus
Christ earned the right on our behalf to come before the Father as a go between</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> in His name</span><span lang="en-AU" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">. Since we have access through
the grace (Rom 5:1f), </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and </span><span lang="en-AU" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">we can be a go between for those in
need. Simultaneously, by being a go between for another person, we reveal the
character of Jesus Christ and the priority of love for one another. Thus, it
has a two-fold value.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In light of
what we have just looked at, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your
present practice of interceding? What are you willing to do to become a go
between?</span></p>PeninsulaCityChurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06070751043447653318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-53336837550300144502021-03-23T08:30:00.006+11:002021-03-23T08:30:03.693+11:00Walking with the Lord: Part Eight by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QQMDXKZOCJyPxMhxH0UL8dgtYMdZLAFQ2utzqD3Ois_feRA0O9o5mfnrWJTp3lJ2cxiru_bRyZT4NSIWPsWV1s_wwIIP-AO3OIbcdeS5HxgdsriQ52Ag7lEZPAGX-olmCMcjM3wPPIkQ/s514/Screen-Shot-2020-01-22-at-3.21.38-PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="514" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QQMDXKZOCJyPxMhxH0UL8dgtYMdZLAFQ2utzqD3Ois_feRA0O9o5mfnrWJTp3lJ2cxiru_bRyZT4NSIWPsWV1s_wwIIP-AO3OIbcdeS5HxgdsriQ52Ag7lEZPAGX-olmCMcjM3wPPIkQ/w200-h161/Screen-Shot-2020-01-22-at-3.21.38-PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>If you were to stop and think about it, how are is your life at the
moment as you walk daily with the Lord? How would you rate it on a scale of
1-10, one being very good and ten being not good at all? Do you know why this would
be important to you anyway? Well, the way that we walk day by day with the Lord
is being watched by those around us, whether we know it or not.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Christ-followers, we are living as dual citizens within two kingdoms.
That is the kingdom of earth and the Kingdom of God. Those who are not
Christ-followers live within one kingdom, namely an earthly one. Maybe as a
Christ-follower, you live a life that maintains the high mortality of this earthly
culture. You may always try to do the right thing. Perhaps you are viewed to be
a good person that never rocks the boat. However, why do you live this way?
Where do you get your basis for </span><a name="_Hlk66967361" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">a good or moral life</a><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
anyway? Jesus was not interested in a good or moral life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus taught regarding living the Kingdom of
God-life. He covered some of the Kingdom of God’s culture and education. He
compared it to those listening’s moral and good lifestyle. He had come to a
world where it is all about keeping up appearances in the sight of others rather
than God’s Kingdom.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus taught contrary to this regarding values of Kingdom life and said
that they need to be our values. These stand in stark contrast to the morality
and good deeds of the polis. These values were not to get in good with anyone,
not even God. Instead, they are merely the values from which someone in God’s
Kingdom is to live. It is a Kingdom culture and not an obligation or even a
system of works. Some of the aspects of this culture that Jesus Christ
presented are in the Beatitudes. Jesus taught what and lived the Kingdom life showing
those around Him what it looks like and how to live it themselves. These are in
Matt 5:1-12, and He began each of these with the word ‘Blessed.’ We will be
blessed if we live this way.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus then stated a Kingdom aspect of the life that we need to be living
as salt and light here and now, Matt 5:13-16. By living this life, those around
us would,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“see our good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt
5:16 ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpKsSaPZcTYDbbht-WZ235F9YQo5j6Sb_cWKrr_dpV5_Hmn98k4bLGSAkrTMIw_o-yUL7BCCQtwowb8nkTJd8ii9c_FnFsRl5LkWCvXpR4qjOEkfOuqfi4HxW8E8tDj0iYydBPjQJqRCa/s514/Screen-Shot-2020-01-22-at-3.21.38-PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpKsSaPZcTYDbbht-WZ235F9YQo5j6Sb_cWKrr_dpV5_Hmn98k4bLGSAkrTMIw_o-yUL7BCCQtwowb8nkTJd8ii9c_FnFsRl5LkWCvXpR4qjOEkfOuqfi4HxW8E8tDj0iYydBPjQJqRCa/s320/Screen-Shot-2020-01-22-at-3.21.38-PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Pause in His presence for a moment and think this
over…<p></p>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-14759558528222329592021-03-16T08:30:00.001+11:002021-03-16T08:30:04.038+11:00Walking with the Lord: Part Seven by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSxkhV4oL-NmhQTAgy0F1zCx_qSRxxXgwoI3XmDBmGtnL9y6V-qZ76Rjz_YFgdVO0ImF2dLJGnP6engl6atmPE_gp-LzE8Bm1X99y__3ts5yx_O1UxixP3i0nrz0GP5ApAUnEssWBDaMX/s443/Humble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="443" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSxkhV4oL-NmhQTAgy0F1zCx_qSRxxXgwoI3XmDBmGtnL9y6V-qZ76Rjz_YFgdVO0ImF2dLJGnP6engl6atmPE_gp-LzE8Bm1X99y__3ts5yx_O1UxixP3i0nrz0GP5ApAUnEssWBDaMX/w200-h151/Humble.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We have been looking at the topic
of ‘Walking with the Lord.’ We saw that Micah, the prophet recorded three essential
qualities, which the Lord requires of His own. So far, we have seen that He requires,<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he
requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and <u>to walk humbly with
your God</u>” (Mic 6:8 NLT).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have already looked at was the first two of these, ‘to do what is right,’
or justice, and to love mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The following quality that the Lord requires
of His own is to walk humbly with Him. As we look around in the ‘Selfie’ world,
the world of the social media platform, we may wonder where those are who have
a humble nature. True humility is one quality that is hard to find in people
today. We may be able to fool those around us with false humility, or
humblebrag maybe even ourselves, but never God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He knows all our motives, attitudes, and thoughts. We cannot fool Him,
and why would we want too anyway. If we are honest, we can all fall into the
trap of seeing ourselves better than others or painting a bigger and better
picture of who we are to be somebody amongst our peers. However, God sees straight
through our game of pride and go seek. On this matter, Paul to the young church
at Philippi said that were to have a humble opinion of oneself. That is,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but <u>with humility of
mind</u> regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Phil 3:3 NASB).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus set the example to his followers because He lived as the humblest the person who has ever lived. He walked before His Father and only sought His
will. Paul also mentioned this to these Christ-followers. Notice the language
that Paul used regarding Jesus, with which he challenged Christ-followers. That
is,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “<u>Have this attitude in yourselves</u>, which was also in Christ
Jesus, <sup>6</sup> who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard
equality with God a thing to be grasped, <sup>7</sup> but <u>emptied Himself</u>
(or</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">laid aside
His privileges</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">), <u>taking the form of a
bondservant</u>, and being made in the likeness of men. <sup>8</sup> Being
found in appearance as a man, <u>He humbled Himself</u> by becoming obedient to
the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil 3:5-8 NASB).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, how are you walking today? Is it humbly
with your God, or secretly selfishly and conceited? Do you secretly see
yourself as more important than others? Maybe it is something that we can all continually
talk with our Heavenly Father about.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pause in His presence for a moment and think this
over…</span></p>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-36073533867372285882021-03-02T08:30:00.009+11:002021-03-02T08:30:05.256+11:00Walking with the Lord: Part Six by Michael Podhaczky<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwijb-8TEizx5Q9wFnGuwgrhIx5aG2MkDsQ58tVzyd3r2zszv5uRjiv1V22iOFE_NBxGXzl1ED5Gy1FqO_kXVfF3bheHm4SGAoIYqmyBtSlVEFeU1S7n5MYR8aX7vXIKDsoP2N994Vf-cx/s2048/Mercy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwijb-8TEizx5Q9wFnGuwgrhIx5aG2MkDsQ58tVzyd3r2zszv5uRjiv1V22iOFE_NBxGXzl1ED5Gy1FqO_kXVfF3bheHm4SGAoIYqmyBtSlVEFeU1S7n5MYR8aX7vXIKDsoP2N994Vf-cx/w200-h150/Mercy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We have been looking at the topic
of ‘Walking with the Lord.’ We saw that Micah, the prophet recorded three essential
qualities, which the Lord requires of His own. That is,<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he
requires of you: to do what is right, <u>to love mercy</u>, and to walk humbly
with your God” (Mic 6:8 NLT).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have already looked at was the first one of these, ‘to do what is right,’
or justice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The next quality that the Lord requires of His
own is to love mercy. It is something that every person hopes that, if needed,
would be extended to them in their own personal hour of need. The word that
Micah used is </span><i style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">chesed</i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">, which is pronounced (khe’-sed), and it carries the
idea of showing goodness, kindness, and faithfulness to someone who does not
deserve it. It is used about 250 times in the Old Testament and reveals the
heart of God. It has to do with dealing with someone’s shame. Mercy is offered
by someone of a high position, maybe a king or government official, towards a
lesser and guilty person. It was </span><u style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">not treating a person how they deserved to
be treated</u><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> for doing wrong, breaking the law or disobedience.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is precisely the way our Heavenly Father has treated us by sending
Jesus Christ to deal with our sin and not giving us what we deserve, 1 Pet 1:3.
We need to show mercy just like our Father has shown us mercy, Matt 5:7; Lk
6:36. So, how merciful are we to those around us who need mercy? Do we love
mercy so much that we freely give it where it is required, or are we stingy
with it? What opportunities will come our way this very day to love mercy and give
it freely and not treating them how they deserved to be treated?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in
His presence for a moment and think this over…<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-6384661441552182512021-02-16T08:30:00.003+11:002021-02-16T08:30:04.085+11:00Walking with the Lord: Part Five by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa1wWz1VWqL5Z38i4gRvhxQxtx8cosh7k2ElbTiUjP3TaHYFDSfUT9J8jfeunlK1s1hg1wQeQH9hixruT_0R54o5OmLCsGfmFthk_u8axtn4LwoXfi-V_Fb1U-Qbqa2IazM53dhm5RpoP/s727/Aid_Human_Rights_1_web_zrsrcq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="727" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa1wWz1VWqL5Z38i4gRvhxQxtx8cosh7k2ElbTiUjP3TaHYFDSfUT9J8jfeunlK1s1hg1wQeQH9hixruT_0R54o5OmLCsGfmFthk_u8axtn4LwoXfi-V_Fb1U-Qbqa2IazM53dhm5RpoP/s320/Aid_Human_Rights_1_web_zrsrcq.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As we continue the topic of
‘Walking with the Lord,’ we will look at an important factor that can often be overlooked
in our day and age. We will look at three qualities, which the Lord requires of
His own. <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">That is,</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he
requires of you: <u>to do what is right</u>, to love mercy, and to walk humbly
with your God” (Mic 6:8 NLT).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The first one is ‘to do what is right.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">To do what is right can also mean ‘to
do justice,’ or ‘to carry out (or <i>act with</i>) justice, or even advocate on
behalf of others.’ What does this mean to </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">do right? The word used here by Micah is used over 400 times within the
Hebrew Bible (the OT). Jeremiah recorded that Lord saying,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But those who wish to boast <u>should boast
in this alone</u>: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD
who demonstrates unfailing love and <u>who brings justice</u> and righteousness
<u>to the earth</u> and that <u>I delight in these things</u>. I, the LORD,
have spoken!” (Jer 9:24 NLT)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is a lot of talk these days about justice and injustice. If the
Lord brings justice to the earth, and we are to do what is right, what does
that look like to us? We as Christ-followers should be people who act fairly
towards others, treating them with dignity and helping and serving them,
especially the defenceless and weak.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The following clip may help to put some things into context for us on the
matter of justice: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A14THPoc4-4&vl=nl"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A14THPoc4-4&vl=nl</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (15<sup>th</sup> February 2021).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in
His presence for a moment and think this over…<o:p></o:p></span></p>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-11593876799693359702021-02-16T08:30:00.001+11:002021-02-16T08:30:07.367+11:00Walking with the Lord: Part Four by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRNxwUXEu-3s2ck-R-rBm-3KPnMrOrrdsL8BCQKL83K1wPGiwzYKijFvcaKhh0ga8DJekT8x8AOxyXrwQWCJ1CdauZDtLZEG2vPS2pgnhJD-4Uxy2zAct5ILa51kPV_24k_Cokb7werFA/s600/03d1df1cbfd346c89127f4d16a78c701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRNxwUXEu-3s2ck-R-rBm-3KPnMrOrrdsL8BCQKL83K1wPGiwzYKijFvcaKhh0ga8DJekT8x8AOxyXrwQWCJ1CdauZDtLZEG2vPS2pgnhJD-4Uxy2zAct5ILa51kPV_24k_Cokb7werFA/w320-h240/03d1df1cbfd346c89127f4d16a78c701.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Continuing the topic of ‘Walking with the Lord,’ we will look at another
facet to loving God. Here we will look at a circumcised heart. If someone were
to ask you, ‘What has circumcision of the heart got to do with loving God,’ what
would you say to them?<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Firstly, physical circumcision is the,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“A
religious rite performed on male children of Jews on the eighth day after
birth; also, on their slaves, whether born in the house or not.”<a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2004)%20210204%20v5.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">However, Paul in the letter to the Romans made
an unusual statement regarding circumcision when he said,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">28</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> “For no one is a Jew
who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. <sup>29</sup>
But a Jew is one inwardly, and <u>circumcision is a matter of the heart</u>, <u>by
the Spirit</u>, not by the letter. His praise is not from people but God” (Rom
2:28-29 ESV).</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">On this matter, Paul also said that this is not
a circumcision done by a person, and it was confirmed through baptism,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.25pt;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">11</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> “In Him (Jesus Christ) also <u>you were
circumcised with a circumcision made without hands</u>, by putting off the body
of the flesh, by <u>the circumcision of Christ</u>, <sup>12</sup> having been <u>buried
with Him in baptism</u>, in which you were also raised with Him through faith
in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Col 2:11-12
ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the Old Testament, first mentions
circumcision in the Bible with Abraham being circumcised. It was a sign of the
covenant that God made with him and then flowing on to Israel (Gen
17:2,4,7,9-14,23-27). The message of circumcision was a physical reminder that
Abraham and his offspring (later to become Israel) were cut off from the world,
and cut into the promises of another world, a heavenly world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The circumcision of the heart is not only a New
Testament Idea, but God also made similar statements to Israel in the Old
Testament, as Paul had made to the church at Rome,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">40</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> “But if they confess their sin and the sin of
their fathers in their treachery that they committed against Me, and also in
walking contrary to Me, <sup>41</sup> so that I walked contrary to them and
brought them into the land of their enemies if then their <u>uncircumcised
heart</u> is humbled and they make amends for their sin, <sup>42</sup> then I
will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember My covenant with
Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land” (Lev 26:40-42
ESV).</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Again, God said to Israel to,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<u>Circumcise,
therefore, the foreskin of your heart</u> and be no longer stubborn” (Deut
10:16 ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Israel was to “cut away the thickening around
their hearts and not stiffen their necks anymore.”<a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2004)%20210204%20v5.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jeremiah also dealt with this as part of
Judah’s repentance</span> <span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">and
their turning from their idolatry,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; <u>remove
the foreskin of your hearts</u>, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem;
lest My wrath goes forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of
the evil of your deeds” (Jer 4:4 ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What has this got to do with loving God? In the book of Deuteronomy,
Moses drew out some spiritual and practical features. He joined the two aspects
of circumcision of the heart and loving the LORD your God with all your heart
together. He pointed out that these two need to work together.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And the LORD your God will <u>circumcise your heart</u> and the heart of
your offspring </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">so that</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <u>you will love the LORD your God with all your heart</u> and with all
your soul, that you may live” (Deut 30:6 ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, it is highlighted for one to love the LORD their God with all their
heart; the heart needs to be circumcised. Circumcision has a spiritual meaning
when it is connected to the heart. Once the heart has been circumcised, then
this love can flow from one’s heart to God. But what kind of love is being
spoken of in this case? His people needed an open and teachable heart to be
able to love Him as they should. They were to demonstrate their love for Him
through their hearing and obedience to God’s Word, Deut 30:7-10.</span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in His presence for a moment and think this
over…</span>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2004)%20210204%20v5.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> “Circumcision.” </span><a href="http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4391-circumcision"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4391-circumcision</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> (2<sup>nd</sup> February 2021).</span></p><p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2004)%20210204%20v5.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> “Circumcise your hearts:
(Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25).”</span></p></div><div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/circumcise_your_hearts_20120808"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">http://www.jewishjournal.com/torah_portion/article/circumcise_your_hearts_20120808</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> (2<sup>nd</sup> February 2021).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-49076160280340889172021-02-02T08:30:00.001+11:002021-02-02T08:30:02.890+11:00Walking with the Lord: Part Three by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxQzHtyyC1bbvR0xkcS3o5Q-SoV48joT8TmBcgDrSmLJ1qX0x9R_aEC2QQ7Ts__rV75TwA-yD8hjCF6cv5sMcAhg_rzbbGKvG379yxQP5UUnsgtZCqqI9Lg33c5cEcYpVfnracX3YrleJ/s1200/67912-gettyimages-817147678-kieferpix.1200w.tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxQzHtyyC1bbvR0xkcS3o5Q-SoV48joT8TmBcgDrSmLJ1qX0x9R_aEC2QQ7Ts__rV75TwA-yD8hjCF6cv5sMcAhg_rzbbGKvG379yxQP5UUnsgtZCqqI9Lg33c5cEcYpVfnracX3YrleJ/s320/67912-gettyimages-817147678-kieferpix.1200w.tn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We have been looking at the topic of ‘Walking with the Lord,’ and we will
continue with it. Here we will look at loving God with all our heart. So, what
kind of love are we talking about here? <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In English, we use the one-word love in various
ways, but is this the case in the New
Testament’s original language (NT)?</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well
actually, there are four words for love, but only three are used in the NT. The
four words are <i>storge</i>, <i>philia</i>, <i>eros</i> and finally <i>agape</i>.
C.S. Lewis in his book <i>The Four Loves</i>
suggests that <i><u>storge</u></i> can be understood as affection the humblest
of all loves,<a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2003)%20210201%20v3.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span></span></a> <i><u>philia</u></i>
as tender affection, friendship, or cherish<a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2003)%20210201%20v3.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">[2]</span></span></span></a>
<u>eros</u> as part of the sexual, sensual, and romance experience, or
passionate love<a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2003)%20210201%20v3.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">[3]</span></span></span></a> and
finally <i><u>agape</u></i> as charity and a vulnerable and unconditional love,
but above all divine gift love.<a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2003)%20210201%20v3.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">[4]</span></span></span></a>
However, the most used are the verb <i>agapao</i>
or <i><u>agape</u></i> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">a noun</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">, which is used approx. 216 times.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When Jesus was asked which is the greatest
commandment, He said the following,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">37</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> “‘<u><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">You shall love the Lord your God</span></u>
with <u><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">all your heart</span></u>, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">all</span> your soul, and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">all</span> your mind <sup>38</sup> This is <u><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">the first and greatest commandment</span></u>.
<sup>39</sup> A second is equally important: <u>Love</u> your neighbour as
yourself. The entire Law and all the demands of the Prophets are based on these
two commandments’” (Matt 22:37-40 NLT; cf. also Mk 12:28-33; Lk 10:25-28).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus used the word <i>agape</i> here, but who
can love God and others this way? A couple of things need to be said here in
the <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">qualification</span> of this kind of love.
Firstly, though someone can love using <i>agape</i>, it has its origin with God.
This leads to the second thing; a person needs to have been born again of God’s
Spirit to love with <i>agape</i>. The reason for this second point is that,
when a person is born anew, they receive this love from God as a fruit <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">of</span> their life, see Gal 5:22. </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A person cannot
love God in this way unless they have come to know Him. The only way a person
can know Him is through His Spirit, bringing them into a relationship with Him.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in His presence for a moment and think this
over…</span>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2003)%20210201%20v3.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> Lewis, C.S. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Four Loves</i>. (Glasgow, UK: Collins, 1987), 33, 35.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2003)%20210201%20v3.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> Lewis, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Four Loves</i>, 55. Barclay, W. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New
Testament Words</i>. (London: SCM Press LTD, 1983), 18.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2003)%20210201%20v3.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> Lewis, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Four Loves</i>, 85, 100. Cf. also Barclay, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New Testament Words</i>, 17-18.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Walking%20with%20the%20Lord%20(Part%2003)%20210201%20v3.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> Lewis, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Four Loves</i>, 107, 111, 117-119.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-4842384552473299822021-01-26T08:30:00.001+11:002021-01-26T08:30:02.196+11:00Walking with the Lord: Part Two by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPX3JGI9DeWTo8DUkCAor8voooDJqx_bhOcyrr4rBaZL1NNN01i5fTVheIGZvg3Ip5bTH76ps2d1ByNdgpganEp4d7ARxXEB1TUWlgBqsxtWtpUuPczjCzaBJsZj35U_z91GGbpV9JU4N/s1100/loving-god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPX3JGI9DeWTo8DUkCAor8voooDJqx_bhOcyrr4rBaZL1NNN01i5fTVheIGZvg3Ip5bTH76ps2d1ByNdgpganEp4d7ARxXEB1TUWlgBqsxtWtpUuPczjCzaBJsZj35U_z91GGbpV9JU4N/s320/loving-god.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In the previous blog, it was pointed out that there are many things in
life that we as Christ-followers do, pray, read our Bibles, go to service,
connect with others etc. We saw that these could be put under a general idea, i.e.,
‘Walking with the Lord.’ Here we will look at prayer or basically talking with
the Lord.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why do we talk with Him? Some may answer because the Bible says to do so.
But why do we talk with Him? Others might say because that is what Christ-followers
do? But again, it can be asked, why do we talk with Him? Then there may be some
who say; it is our responsibility in the relationship to talk with Him</span> <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">to get closer to
Him. But why do we talk with Him? About now, we throw our hands in the air and
shout, “I don’t know, why?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">If we do not know why; then why do we talk with Him it seems a little
silly to do something that we are unsure of why we do it. Yes, the Bible tells
us to do so, yes, it is what Christ-followers do, and yes, it is our responsibility
in the relationship to talk with Him to get closer to Him. It is more than that
because we love Him and desire to be with Him since we are already close to Him.
It is because we love talking with Him and hearing what he has to say to us.
That is what I would say why we speak with Him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In John’s gospel, especially chapter 17, we read how Jesus and the Father
loved each other and loved talking with each other. Also, notice how Jesus
loved His own as it says in John 13:34,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A new commandment I give to you, that you
love one another, even <u>as I have loved you</u>, that you also love one
another” (Jn 13:34 NASB).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From the perspective that He loves us so much, we need to talk with Him
that He sent His Son to bring us back to Himself. We can have a loving
relationship, which includes a two-way conversation about anything, anywhere
and anytime.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in His presence for a moment and think this
over…</span>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-90187175812623053902021-01-19T11:30:00.001+11:002021-01-19T11:30:07.608+11:00Walking with the Lord: Part One by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf1LgWKTVHhU2FP0osYjEuz6Vd0bIl9J6OIw-MoDHpp6IkJo6WsdTF0JgMVZNua44hjgKgdGJ6ZufiC4R6XlLDwunzTxMWpfximZVFhrjYcqtLaTWpiTuR8jAkQ8FAy8eJZ4NHo5nqc4V/s387/0098f-toptem39.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="387" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVf1LgWKTVHhU2FP0osYjEuz6Vd0bIl9J6OIw-MoDHpp6IkJo6WsdTF0JgMVZNua44hjgKgdGJ6ZufiC4R6XlLDwunzTxMWpfximZVFhrjYcqtLaTWpiTuR8jAkQ8FAy8eJZ4NHo5nqc4V/w200-h180/0098f-toptem39.png" width="200" /></a></div>There are many things in life that we as Christ-followers do in regards
to our relationships with God. We pray, read our Bibles, attend church, connect
with others etc. all of these could be put under a general idea, i.e., ‘Walking
with the Lord.’ When we say “Walking with the Lord” what are we actually referring
to. It could be said that it is living together as you would, your spouse, parents,
or children. It would consist of the mundane things that we do, but also the
fun stuff. So, it is with the Lord; we allow Him into every part of our life as
we live our life.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How do we make daily or life decisions? Do we invite the Lord into the
conversations? What about how we react in any given situation, do we chat it
over with Him? What about our plans for the future what has He got to say on
the matter? How are we to spend our time and money do they all belong to us or
is it His on loan? If that is the case, would it be advisable to ask what His
desire is for these things? We could go on into many other areas, but this will
do.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Paul made a very practical statement within the context of the right way to worship and glorify God by
what and how they were eating temple food. He said to the Christ-followers in
Corinth,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things
for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31 NASB).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He had spent some thinking about
this matter as he watched what people were doing. He invited the Lord into the
situation and how best to advise those who needed direction. So, if Paul had to
do this, we can expect that we also need to do this daily, and moment by
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in His presence for a moment and think this
over…</span>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-993731628061522012020-12-29T08:30:00.001+11:002020-12-29T08:30:16.631+11:00Nothing But God! Part Three, by Michael Podhaczy<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsC6tS9xBUPnefNm9q_sHQvlG_dU1eYsA9iPuyvPFxZqgGtDW7doaUoe56c_g34jVvdx4qTo8yRKOZXXBW1h3VR_pWAbOYMeEI_aJsDMP2nmLMiVjzP9VSPRZHIqq_d4z3kXD7O6O30-hu/s570/trinity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsC6tS9xBUPnefNm9q_sHQvlG_dU1eYsA9iPuyvPFxZqgGtDW7doaUoe56c_g34jVvdx4qTo8yRKOZXXBW1h3VR_pWAbOYMeEI_aJsDMP2nmLMiVjzP9VSPRZHIqq_d4z3kXD7O6O30-hu/s320/trinity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We have seen so far that before
there was any created thing, there was God. God existed as Trinity, that is,<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“that God is One in essence and subsists in threeness of Persons (<i>or
the Trinity</i>) was one of the first dogmas established in the Church.”<a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Nothing%20But%20God!%20(Part%2003)%20201223%20v4.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The teaching of the Trinity arose because the New Testament writers
needed to explain the incredible things they witnessed about Jesus. Yet they
were loyal to and believed firmly in the one true God of the Old Testament. Almost
all the New Testament writers were Jews, who believed that there was only one
God, Deut 6:4, but they had to deal with Jesus. They lived with Jesus, saw all
He did, heard all He said and could come to no other conclusion. They had come to
know in Him as God among them. Yet, this has caused many problems and disputes
throughout the history of the church.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When Jesus left, He promised to send another to take His place, to
continue His teaching and work. They experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in
their own transformed lives. They knew this incredible power of the Spirit and
recognised God at work among them. So, in the exciting and memorable experience
of those early days, when heaven and earth touched, the teaching of the Trinity
was born.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some ideas that are used within the
context of the Trinity discussion are as follows,</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unity: There is only one God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Triunity: Three persons in one God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Essence: God’s being<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Each of the Persons of the Trinity
is fully God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God in all three Persons has always
existed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Trinity is beyond rational
understanding or analogy <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We can understand something about this
truth in the following way,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Father is not the Son or the
Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Son is not the Father or the
Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Spirit is not the Father or the
Son<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Each person is fully God:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Father is entirely God, e.g., Is
64:8; Eph 4:6<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Son is entirely God, e.g., Jn
1:1-4<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Spirit is entirely God, e.g.,
Matt 28:19; Acts 5:3-4<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet there is one God: Scripture is
clear on this, e.g., cf. Deut 6:4-5; Is 45:5-6<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in
His presence for a moment and think this over…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><div><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Nothing%20But%20God!%20(Part%2003)%20201223%20v4.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> Hoeksema, Herman. <i>Reformed
Dogmatics</i>. (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 1985),
131. Italics mine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
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<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><br /></p>
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</div>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-13646385797530586842020-12-22T08:30:00.001+11:002020-12-22T08:30:01.975+11:00Silent Night by Michael Podhaczky<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9sKmNLd3L9goX1WdqWRGYF10kiw5Gr4gLoQJU7cdlefwIdvpsBcnmN7wr2CtQfROtJPUthd2qVxtey6Gzg0Y9aWa3bE2NnACLhHFLKMwaeSJ0QB8a55GWTWhvd27j0S4ce988dSP7qhI/s1024/sample_6cb6e5e6-97c6-446d-82a6-46a63edf8280_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9sKmNLd3L9goX1WdqWRGYF10kiw5Gr4gLoQJU7cdlefwIdvpsBcnmN7wr2CtQfROtJPUthd2qVxtey6Gzg0Y9aWa3bE2NnACLhHFLKMwaeSJ0QB8a55GWTWhvd27j0S4ce988dSP7qhI/w200-h200/sample_6cb6e5e6-97c6-446d-82a6-46a63edf8280_1024x1024.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>There is a much-loved
hymn, which we sing each Christmas.<span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It has been sung for </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">the last few hundred years, i.e., Silent Night. There has been some disagreement
as to the origin and tradition of the hymn. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">The following is
a version of its origin. Early Christmas Eve, 1818 tragedy struck a little
church in the town of Oberndorf, Austria. The church organist (and primary
school headmaster), Franz Xavier Gruber, was shocked to discover that, the organ
would not bellow out its majestic tones. After further investigation, he found
that either mice had chewed a hole through the bellows, or they had deteriorated.
For several days before Christmas day, it had snowed heavenly, so nobody was
able to come to repair the organ. Gruber was concerned that there might not be any
music for the Christmas service. It seemed that it would be a season of a
silent night with no singing. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Gruber saw the
assistant minister Joseph Mohr sharing his dilemma. Gruber asked the Mohr to
write a Christmas song that could be sung without the organ. Mohr walked in the
countryside trudging through thick snow, thinking about what to do. Later that
day, Mohr reading Luke chapter two and contemplated what he was reading, Luke
2:11</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">“And this very day in David’s (<i>a king of Israel</i>)
town your Saviour was born-Christ the Lord!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">The words welled up within him like a mighty overflow
from heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Working long into the night, Mohr composed a poem
about the Christmas story. Early Christmas morning Mohr took his freshly penned
words to Gruber hoping that he could quickly write a simple melody suitable for
the guitar. That afternoon the music was finished. The people arrived, but there
was no organ bellowing into the cold night air just Gruber strumming his
guitar. The song was sung for the first that night. The people fell in love
with the song immediately. It was a season to sing of the Silent Night that
Christmas. Consequently, Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber gave the world a much-loved
Christmas carol. Since then, it has been translated into more than ninety
languages and dialects.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Oh, that the
real meaning of Christmas would grip us this season. Grip us, the way that it grabbed
Mohr and Gruber.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">“This very day in David’s town, your Saviour was
born-Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:11). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">The message of
the angel is one for all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; layout-grid-mode: line; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: -21.55pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">This Christmas is the season which, could be the
beginning of the most fabulous Silent Night for us or someone we know. This a
time of peace and joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pause in His presence for
a moment and think this over…</span> </p>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-36874601550506736742020-12-15T08:30:00.001+11:002020-12-15T08:30:12.471+11:00Nothing But God! Part Two by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYc02MfOWY5a1CpJerRPleHxRB8OGF2gi-k4qxW661xBrzp6loeS4_YLj7CnjF5-MaVaPIQoQmAsJWMK8qJULj4zYZlOGqoQmkFXIWRrS7SPXnXosg2wpCMInu6Qg3YtiaRkTQURSIRkd/s1280/The+Unchangable+God.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYc02MfOWY5a1CpJerRPleHxRB8OGF2gi-k4qxW661xBrzp6loeS4_YLj7CnjF5-MaVaPIQoQmAsJWMK8qJULj4zYZlOGqoQmkFXIWRrS7SPXnXosg2wpCMInu6Qg3YtiaRkTQURSIRkd/s320/The+Unchangable+God.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In the last blog, the question was
asked,<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Do you know that there was a time (an unsatisfactory word) before all of
creation when God in the unity of His nature, existing in three persons, dwelt alone?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We will continue looking at the uniqueness of God who needs nothing and
cannot be changed. When we stop and think about it, God is unchangeable. But it
can be asked, ‘How is He unchangeable?’ He can change the way that He does things
when He wants, but He does not alter in who He has always been, who He is or who
he will continue to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We need to realise that even when Jesus
Christ came to earth to do the will of the Father, it did not change God. Jesus
in His ministry added </span><u style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">nothin</u><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><u>g</u></span><u style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> to God</u><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">, to God’s essence, being or glory
by what He did or suffered while on earth. True, Jesus displayed the glory of
God to us (Jn 1:1-18, esp. v14); however, He added nothing to God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn
1:14 NASB).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God was honoured by Jesus and dishonoured by people, but His being, and character
was not changed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is also true that the plan of
redemption glorifies God, but this has to do with His revealed glory and work. Consequently,
God might have continued as He had always been, had it so pleased Him. He could
have existed alone in His unity and never made known His glory through creation
or Jesus. But He did because He decided to do so based solely on His own will
to make His glory known. It certainly was not out of necessity, any need, or lack
or even want. Instead, it was totally out of His deliberate sovereign choice.
He was utterly secure and complete in Himself for all eternity before the first
thing was created. This is the God that we worship and have been given the
privilege to know because He chose to create and then reveal Himself.</span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in His presence for a moment and think this
over…</span>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-55629853755960292272020-12-08T08:30:00.005+11:002020-12-08T08:30:00.269+11:00Nothing But God! by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPl-GcpLvbDsm2XeqFK0aDIHxYbXJktGFWvwE5iFO6Y93_l-CZyar1sQf_WJfuIS9PNJhuUtNn7Plk8a3yNXoWAln9hYt0ySMoAjPAyVXE-iatWEN1zoMSN3t7n-cO7kPk-gRO9f-oQz4Q/s579/solitariness_Pink.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="79" data-original-width="579" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPl-GcpLvbDsm2XeqFK0aDIHxYbXJktGFWvwE5iFO6Y93_l-CZyar1sQf_WJfuIS9PNJhuUtNn7Plk8a3yNXoWAln9hYt0ySMoAjPAyVXE-iatWEN1zoMSN3t7n-cO7kPk-gRO9f-oQz4Q/w400-h55/solitariness_Pink.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />There are many things revealed about
God in the Scriptures. We know about His love, goodness, grace, and Him being
all-powerful just to mention a few. But what about things like the following fantastic
features about God?<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: skip;"><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7</span></sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
“Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the
Almighty? <sup>8</sup> They are as high as the heavens; what can you do? Deeper
than Sheol; what can you know? <sup>9</sup> Its measurement is longer than the
earth And broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 NASB).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt; mso-list: skip;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh,
the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (Rom 11:33 NASB).</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you know that there was a time, before all of creation when God in the
unity of His nature, existing in three persons, dwelt alone? He lived outside
of all time and space and created both. For example, there were no heavens where
His glory is now displayed or earth for His footrest. Likewise, there were no angels
to sing His praises or a universe to be maintained by the Word of His power. There
was nothing and no one but God. It was not for a day, a year, or centuries but
from infinity past.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Throughout this past, God was alone in His unity, i.e. He existed in
solitariness as God. Yet, He was not lonely but self-contained, self-sufficient
in need of nothing. So, before there was anything; God was solitary, i.e.
living alone as He lived in His unity. When He created everything, He added
nothing to who He was because He does not change. His essential being and glory
can never be improved nor lessen by His creation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Remember that, God was under no
obligation or need to create. Instead, He chose to do so as a sovereign choice,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“He works all things after the counsel of His own will” Eph 1:11. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paul, in Rom 11:34,35, pointed out
that He is far above the way we think about things. For example, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counsellor?
Or who has first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The force of this is that it is
impossible to bring the Almighty God under obligation to the creature. God owes
us nothing and gains nothing from us. But everything that He does is from His
grace. Remember that, He cannot be understood, or that cannot be contained by
any of our logical boundaries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in
His presence for a moment and think this over…<o:p></o:p></span></p>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-65479927452274499792020-12-01T08:30:00.001+11:002020-12-01T08:30:06.344+11:00Did you know that we will be glorified? by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmz2sWcG64ccxs2pK4F56PITwwTk4otxZhkGp5mlbbQOMBlmHpmasZ_RioWEstoSF2RXhnmqQf97lftm2pJ9rmFzJzy3Ihyphenhyphen4mnmxjJvL4qZCLLxvuKPB-vI72qtFv7Tv-25yjzfBSrbRId/s800/SAVED_Glorification_800x450.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmz2sWcG64ccxs2pK4F56PITwwTk4otxZhkGp5mlbbQOMBlmHpmasZ_RioWEstoSF2RXhnmqQf97lftm2pJ9rmFzJzy3Ihyphenhyphen4mnmxjJvL4qZCLLxvuKPB-vI72qtFv7Tv-25yjzfBSrbRId/s320/SAVED_Glorification_800x450.png" width="320" /></a></div>Sometimes, we can get so caught up in living
our life here and now that we have little or no thought of our future glorified
life. Is it true that Christ-followers will be glorified? Yes, this is true; in
fact, it is the final phase of our salvation process. Paul wrote to the local
church in Rome and commented on this great truth,<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">29</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> “For whom He foreknew,
He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might
be the firstborn among many brethren; <sup>30</sup> and whom He predestined,
these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He
justified, these <u>He also glorified</u> (or <i>gave them His glory</i>)” (Rom
8:30 NASB). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
includes both the individual Christ-follower and also the community of faiths finality
of our salvation. It involves the finishing of the salvation process of the life
of the person and the body of Christ as we will continue to live in the
presence of Christ.</span> <span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
needs to be stressed that Christ-followers, the process of eternal glory has
begun; it began the moment that we were renewed in Christ, Col 3:1-4.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There
is a process, and the following are some the features of the process. Firstly,
a person needs to receive the gift of new life. It can only be obtained by
faith when a person is restored, Eph 2:8-10. Consequently, a person will have been
raised to be with Christ sitting with God, Eph 2:5,6. That is what is called the
new life of Christ in us, Gal 2:20. Secondly, they have received the gift of
life forever with the Lord, after death, they go to be with Him in His glory, 2
Cor 5:1-8. Lastly, Christ-followers will receive a transformed spiritual body.
That is, it will be a glorious body like that of Jesus Christ, Phil 3:21.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are certain wonderful characteristics of the
glorifying of the Christ-follower. Some of these are, being with the Lord when
we die. Since we have already been cleared of all blame and condemnation
through the death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus, we will be with
Him, Rom 8:33-34,38-39. We have also received the status of children of the
Father right here and now, and so we can be with Him forever when we die, Matt
25:31-46. We will be perfect and accepted in His presence forever, Eph 1:4. We
will receive a transformed body when we pass from this realm of life into our
next sphere of life, Phil 3:20-21; 1 Cor 15:38-50.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in
His presence for a moment and think this over…<o:p></o:p></span></p>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-16921159845879673542020-11-24T08:30:00.001+11:002020-11-24T08:30:03.337+11:00What is a Person? by Michael Podhaczky<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiAiI9cvVQ1Xh4L58onzUsq1ZLAVSp1Hxr3aK9l7vC8ThMMA4kdwnJ55M5tZZIQLPRgshPaqiDn1v9NdfIdta4x-fnP2kdXjviLMF2IuvGs1IGtNn2c13dfSqxRElNXuREeFPpB9lLZul/s720/3dce15847dff99c5895375262c6ed71e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="599" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiAiI9cvVQ1Xh4L58onzUsq1ZLAVSp1Hxr3aK9l7vC8ThMMA4kdwnJ55M5tZZIQLPRgshPaqiDn1v9NdfIdta4x-fnP2kdXjviLMF2IuvGs1IGtNn2c13dfSqxRElNXuREeFPpB9lLZul/w166-h200/3dce15847dff99c5895375262c6ed71e.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><br />Imagine
a new Christ-follower asks you ‘What is the biblical concept of a person?’ how
would you briefly answer them? Where would you begin? Well, as Christ-followers
would, our first port of call be the Scripture? You know, as those who hold the
Bible to be the God’s Word to humanity, and if we believe that it is true, then
we can trust what it has to say on the matter.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">For example, in Gen 1:26, we read that the
first two people were created due to a decision made by God. That is, He said,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Then
God said, ‘Let Us make humanity in our image, according to our likeness.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So,
if humanity were the result of divine purpose, then one would think that this
is where our fundamental value lays. The first two people were intended to be a
unique creation, not like any of the other created beings either on heaven or
on earth. They were created as a result that God chose to create them in His
image and likeness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">God made the first person out of the earth, and
then He breathed His life into them. Humanity was created for God’s glory, e.g.
Is 43:7; 2 Tim 1:9.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“…the
creator created them male and female…;” (Gen 1:27; 5:2; Matt 19:4; Mk 10:6; then
in Gen 2:7 “…the LORD GOD formed the man…; and finally in Gen 2:22 “the LORD
God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the Adam, and
brought her to the Adam.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Hebrew word for rib here is ‘<i>tsela</i>’ it is the only use of the term to
describe a part of the human anatomy in the Hebrew Bible. So, woman is part of man
and together they are one in complete unity and likeness. Notice that when God
created humanity, He created them, not just him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">God knew what humanity would be and do before
He created them. If that is the case, why then why did God create them? If we
are honest, this is still a mystery that we do not fully know. However, God in
His divine purpose had decided that humanity made would be in His image. Because
of humanities sin, we would need to be liberated and allowed to come back into
God’s family</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">through
a person. It would be through the person of Jesus Christ, His Son. We do know
that restored humanity in Jesus Christ is the object of God’s love. Humanity
may have been created from the dust but is now (or can be) a child of God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in
His presence for a moment and think this over…<o:p></o:p></span></p>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-34322302651141444552020-11-17T08:30:00.001+11:002020-11-17T08:30:00.310+11:00Reaching Out to our Community Around Us by Michael Podhaczky<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-plQw4c4ODt8q6dFV6rOTsjGnx02TLCmj0c5_85S2ajQ7EfOTFr291JY7LSzsZShpPBHh1p70clDeKme19HWxlyTXi1wA2vHl9qFOeeLl5jXkHIu8eSCTcxrgQ1Lp9n3Lu7tXoRZZeNj/s660/19731810_web1_local-lizzie-hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="660" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-plQw4c4ODt8q6dFV6rOTsjGnx02TLCmj0c5_85S2ajQ7EfOTFr291JY7LSzsZShpPBHh1p70clDeKme19HWxlyTXi1wA2vHl9qFOeeLl5jXkHIu8eSCTcxrgQ1Lp9n3Lu7tXoRZZeNj/s320/19731810_web1_local-lizzie-hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We
all live as part of a community, in our street, at work, school or university,
a sports or interest community. We all love the benefits of community, don’t
we? However, what about our responsibilities? Do we see our communities as
places of entitlement, in that way we place expectations on others to do
something for us/me? We may even have a blind spot when it comes to our
entitlements within our communities. How can we deal with those blind spots?
What responsibility do we have to deal with these blind spots? <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It
might be an honest conversation with someone that you trust regarding any blind
spots. Our even ask the Holy Spirit audited us on our blind spots. I would how
we would stack up with responsibilities like reaching out to our community
around us? It gives us some food for thought and prayer as we move forward. Conversations
regarding our motives, attitudes, biases etc., which affect our behaviour. So,
what are we able to do as we embrace our responsibilities as a community of
Christ-followers, within the community at large?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When it comes to our idea of an idea of
community, there is no one method or formula to fit all. However, there is one
thing that is a constant it does not matter what community we are a part of as
we reach out. On this matter, James in his letter to the church said that,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.25pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law,
according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself,’ you
are doing well” (Jas 2:8 NASB)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Consequently, the best way we can reach out to our community is to love them. To love them just like the
Lord unconditionally loves us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pause in
His presence for a moment and think this over…</span></p><p><br /></p>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3108381857029333274.post-6219526003251726582020-11-10T08:30:00.002+11:002020-11-10T08:30:11.316+11:00Making Sense of the Bible by Diyanne Podhaczky<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPw1w_NckAN1PA3CVkQ9KhexVhLmQ5_ERi_HOFj_UTOTz4rD-xo8y6Gzwkh2h-W8r3jPhYGfFnxGKJvjahYhII3r-cL-iGOcbjATOWvBny8zmJFU0XU4FtUCFMFfFMWx0986h32Qjehkk/s1024/eef844d9-8ce6-4188-97f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPw1w_NckAN1PA3CVkQ9KhexVhLmQ5_ERi_HOFj_UTOTz4rD-xo8y6Gzwkh2h-W8r3jPhYGfFnxGKJvjahYhII3r-cL-iGOcbjATOWvBny8zmJFU0XU4FtUCFMFfFMWx0986h32Qjehkk/s320/eef844d9-8ce6-4188-97f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Bible
is no ordinary book. It has been said that,<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It is a supernatural
book and can be understood only by supernatural aid.”<a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Making%20Sense%20of%20the%20Bible%20DP%20201108%20v3.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was
never intended to be understood and interpreted through human reasoning. The
Bible is not a single book, but rather a collection of 66 books, it has one
focus, God communicating with humanity that we might reach maturity. Thus,
understanding is gained through reading and re-reading it to gain an idea for
its overall story and message. So, many Christ-followers find sections of the
Bible difficult to read because they seem difficult to understand, confusing or
boring. The temptation is to skip over these parts and cherry-pick best bits. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Most
Christ-follows would agree that we </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">should</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
read the Bible every day. Yet how many can say that they have read the </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">whole</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Bible? For many, the problem may
be that they are re-reading the same things over and over or simply not reading
as much as they think they are. If we do not regularly read the entire Bible
for ourselves, then we live by the opinions of others, and they think for us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Paul said
that the Bible is literally ‘God-breathed’,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“<u>All Scripture is
inspired by God</u> and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise
what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to
do what is right” (2 Tim 3:16 NLT). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is
God’s wisdom for us; it is His Word for us. It is as binding as the laws of
nature. We can ignore it, but we do so to our detriment, just as we would if we
ignored the law of gravity. There are so many questions that philosophers have
asked over centuries, that God answers for us in the Bible. For example, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What is the purpose of
life? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Is their life after
death? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Why is the world full
of evil? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Why do I struggle to do
good? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As well
as answering these questions, the Bible gives much practical advice in areas
such as: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">How can I have a successful
marriage?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">How can I be a good
parent?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What is a success, and
how do I achieve it?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">How can I change?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What matters in life?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">How can I handle the
unfair circumstances of life?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Bible
is as relevant for us as it was when it was written. While humanity as a whole
continues to seek love and satisfaction in all of the wrong places, our Creator
God tells us what will bring us lasting joy. His revealed Word, the Bible, is
so important that Jesus said of it,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">“But Jesus told him, ‘No!
The Scriptures say, “People do not live by bread alone but by every word that
comes from the mouth of God”’” (Matt. 4:4 NLT).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In other
words, if we want to live life to the fullest, as God intended, we must listen to
and heed God’s written Word.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you
find the Bible hard to understand? Then perhaps these things will help you,</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">See it as a
supernatural book and ask God for His insight as you read.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Recognise the authority
of the Bible; it is true whether you or I choose to believe it or not. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is just as relevant
today as it has ever been. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Finally, can I
challenge you to read through the entire Bible?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="https://pencc-my.sharepoint.com/personal/mpodhaczky_pencc_org/Documents/Documents/PenCC/Website%20&amp;%20App/App/Devotions%20&amp;%20Thoughts%20for%20the%20APP/Edited/Mine/Current/Making%20Sense%20of%20the%20Bible%20DP%20201108%20v3.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> Tozer, A.W. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Man – The Dwelling Place of God.</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> (Chicago, IL: Moody, 2018), 29.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
</div>
</div>peninsulacitychurchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714881737513260102noreply@blogger.com0