tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24905467690047793062024-03-14T02:06:33.468-07:00PS BIBLE MINISTRYPS stands for Plain and Simple! I love writing stories to enhance reading of God's Word. The Holy Bible has always been transforming lives and penetrative to our inner souls where no other books can ever do. I desire every Christian to love God's Word as fresh bread from the oven of heaven!THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-75624453871334503172021-03-02T18:54:00.003-08:002021-03-02T18:54:38.496-08:00ONE DAY - My Poem (Edited by Chris Low; Video and Music by Julian Chong)<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='322' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwiZ6S-vFmkdMn2XqKXTJTxViu3PIsgXmqQ0bepABx-dAUCgS4pXdaDzk4RqZfofwklB59djT7cnE86QJWCRQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-69397908196728362432015-08-12T22:27:00.002-07:002015-08-12T22:27:22.388-07:00THERE'S MORE ON OUR SIDE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxN-Q9_cyWUoj276bojM2ZQH2mj02iHNhqU1NF152lM4LLnd1rOtxDx1couvsBIIV8uIRSTkqkyQNQvi_OrDY8rlLvGYZsx5LfDnszwTT8MTRKtREiMqCBB7STewm5FwCg_-_AWVOmtLc/s1600/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxN-Q9_cyWUoj276bojM2ZQH2mj02iHNhqU1NF152lM4LLnd1rOtxDx1couvsBIIV8uIRSTkqkyQNQvi_OrDY8rlLvGYZsx5LfDnszwTT8MTRKtREiMqCBB7STewm5FwCg_-_AWVOmtLc/s320/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dothan</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-size: large;">: The king of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Aram</st1:place></st1:country-region> was furious because his country’s war plan against <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> had been disclosed by
someone. Every time he planned something, the king of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> knew
about it. He then interrogated his officers whether they were spies.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;">One officer stood up and said it was the
prophet Elisha who heard every word that was discussed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;">The furious king immediately called and
sent a strong army to where Elisha lived. By night, the whole area was surrounded
by a vast army with horses and chariots.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-MY">Next morning, Elisha’s servant came up
and great fear seized him. He ran back inside and told the man of God what was
happening. </span>The great prophet calmed the servant down
and told him not to be afraid. Then he said these words, “Those who are with us
are more than those who are with them”. He prayed a simple prayer that God
would open his servant’s eyes so that he may see God’s mighty army.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;">God, in answering Elisha’s prayer, opened
the servant’s eyes to see something supernatural. He saw in the hills above,
full of horses and chariots of fire belonging to the army of God. They were
really more than those of the enemies.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;">As the enemy’s army marched towards them,
Elisha prayed again to God that they be blinded. True enough, God’s power had
them all blinded.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;">The enemies were confused when this
happened. The prophet then led them all to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s army in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Samaria</st1:place></st1:city>. While they were there, God opened
their eyes. They were shock to find themselves in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s capital. All of them were
captured alive by the king of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
The delighted king asked Elisha if he could kill them all. Full of compassion,
Elisha denied that request. Instead, he asked the king to give them plenty of
food and water and later asked him to send them all back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;">Because of the compassion of Elisha, the
king of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Aram</st1:place></st1:country-region>
stopped the war with the king of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;">Because of God’s power and His promise to
help His own people, the victory that day was a resounding one.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-MY">Elisha’s servant learned a great lesson that day. He didn’t want to depend on his own strength anymore. He will indeed
focus on God’s power. </span>- PS BIBLE News</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;">REFLECTION<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;">This story above is taken from 2 Kings
6:8-23. Our eyes sometimes deceive us just like they deceive Elisha’s servant.
We must see through the eyes of faith believing that there are more that stand
on our side than those who are against us. Why? Because God is our source of
strength. He had more angels than all our enemies combined. Isn’t it good to be
on His side? Certainly. Whatever problems or shortcomings we may have can be
overcome because He is with us! He will fight on our behalf! Did Jesus Himself
promise us this? Yes! Jesus said, <i>“In
this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33). </i>He said, “<i>I have given
your authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power
of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke <st1:time hour="10" minute="19" w:st="on">10:19</st1:time>)</i></span></span></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-60327899177127920302015-08-06T18:45:00.003-07:002015-08-06T18:45:50.748-07:00EVIL FOR GOOD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QROxFL5RmE_SqEvETIBdFJ9jeUMbRpmSNRwXePzVvRFjIy-ZNO5kZnoK5ZVWxDezGrynZsMBmxDHDSG0AA_3ryODze_6XliUzsSFEIW7w27atF9so92Fdh0lPjRRpVBDxvDgfcALbX80/s1600/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QROxFL5RmE_SqEvETIBdFJ9jeUMbRpmSNRwXePzVvRFjIy-ZNO5kZnoK5ZVWxDezGrynZsMBmxDHDSG0AA_3ryODze_6XliUzsSFEIW7w27atF9so92Fdh0lPjRRpVBDxvDgfcALbX80/s320/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Unidentified
place</span><span style="font-size: large;">: A rich man went for a journey,
promised he will return after a long time. He owned a good fertile land and he
rented it to some farmers. He was a kind-hearted man who wanted to see that
these farmers that he loved got some benefits out of this land.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">When the time
came for the harvest, he told his servant to go and get some fruits that the
farmers had planted so as to show their appreciation for him. They refused to
give him the fruits. Instead, his servant was beaten up and was told to go
back. The land owner was very surprised with the farmers for what they did.
Since he loved them so very much, he decided to try again with another servant.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">The servant went.
The farmers gathered up again and beat him up as well. They mocked him and
laughed at him. They ridiculed him and threw insults at him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">The servant
managed to get back to his master and related everything to him. The owner was
grieved and deeply saddened with what had happened. “Is that what they paid me
for my kindness and love towards them?” he cried in utter despair.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">He didn’t give
up loving them but sent another servant just to collect some of the fruits in
his own land.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">The same thing
happened. The servant was wounded severely by them. His master heard about it
and started to become indignant, seeing all the injustices that were done. He began to reason within himself that if he sent his one and only son to them, perhaps
they would respect him. His son was not afraid at all to go and collect the
fruits. He was obedient to his father.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">Still at a long
distance away, the farmers saw him coming. They then discussed among themselves
what to do with the owner’s one and only son. They came out with a wicked idea.
Since he was the heir of the land and if they could kill him, the land would be
theirs. They thought this would be the chance that they could forcefully wrest
control of the land and be very rich.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">This time they
did the worse thing. Not only did they beat the son up, they murdered him. The
farmers were very glad for they thought they would possess the land. They
celebrated and went on taking in the good harvest that the land had produced.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">While they were
in the fields, gathering in the fruits, there appeared few strong men. They
saw them looking like warriors, waiting to fight their enemies. They ran as fast
as they could and began to gather together in a village. The farmers were
asking each other about the huge men. At a distance away they saw the
terrifying men coming towards their direction. At the front of the men, they
then saw someone familiar, directing the men. The land owner. He was
angry and sad at the same at these bunch of unrepentant wicked farmers. With a
loud shout, he ordered the men to kill all those who murdered his son.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">The owner then
rented his land to others who would listen to him and be blessed. – PSBIBLE News</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">REFLECTION<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">This parable is
taken from Luke 20:9-15. Many people today think that God will not come and
judge them for their wickedness. They could go on doing whatever seems good in
their own eyes, cheating, murdering, abusing people, thus neglecting the Word
of God. Judgement will come as promised by God Himself if they do not repent. Yet God is a Judge full of love who would still wait for people to repent and
be saved. He warned everyone in this world to repent and believe in Him through
Jesus so that their sins can be washed away.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-size: large;">….. He (God) is
patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance (2 Peter 3:9)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-75286920771959099472015-08-05T18:32:00.004-07:002015-08-05T18:36:49.578-07:00THE GIANT TUMBLES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtGp5lM8y9omdAb_b_eKmybwRXjHWuCFoDkkDvj1OYcpqvcXZkVkxJjITw_GEbBqBwGe7xEZLPS6k76r8NDq2L1Huad03_mY6AV4_5m5u8URRSVhLPVF8b8wxxsVL98F1EhW13PKBGuG0/s1600/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtGp5lM8y9omdAb_b_eKmybwRXjHWuCFoDkkDvj1OYcpqvcXZkVkxJjITw_GEbBqBwGe7xEZLPS6k76r8NDq2L1Huad03_mY6AV4_5m5u8URRSVhLPVF8b8wxxsVL98F1EhW13PKBGuG0/s320/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ffe599;"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><st1:city w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><br /></span></st1:city></span></st1:place></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ffe599;"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><st1:city w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY">Socoh</span></st1:city><span lang="EN-MY">, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Judah</st1:country-region></span></span></st1:place><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-size: large;">: A nine feet tall man named
Goliath from Philistine today threatened the Israelites, considered
to be the people of God. He challenged anyone who could fight him to step out
in the middle while the soldiers from both sides gathered in line, ready to do
battle with one another. Then the Israelites, upon seeing the “giant” trembled
in fear. They looked at each other in utter dismay because they saw no one
stronger than Goliath. Even their King Saul was sad at the repeated taunting by this strong man.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">Goliath hounded them again and again. The
Israelites on the other hand shivered with great fear even though they have
great experience in battles.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-MY"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, David, a
shepherd boy who is very close with God, overheard the proud chant of Goliath,
asked the king that he be sent to fight him. King Saul was very surprised that
this boy could be so daring, David then told him how he killed a lion and a bear
before with bare hands because God was with him. He assured the king that God
will also help him kill this giant. King Saul hesitantly agreed to let him go
on the condition that he must put on the king’s armour. David put it on but it was too huge for him and caused him to walk with great difficulties. He
took them off immediately and asked the king to grant him that he used his own
weapons instead. The shepherd boy only took a pouch filled
with five stones and a sling shot.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">So off he went
to fight the Goliath, the “giant”.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-MY">When he
confronted Goliath with only small stuffs, the “giant” laughed at him. He jeered the whole Israelites’ army for sending a boy to fight him. </span>David, a boy
full of faith in his God, did not fear him at all. Everybody in the Israelites’
camp did not give a ghost of a chance to him to win this confrontation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">But then it
happened!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">When Goliath was
about to draw his sword, David aimed his sling with a small rock he took from
his pouch. He released the rock with a powerful slingshot. It hit the giant
right on the forehead before he could charge towards David. Then the “giant” fell like
a timber. He was killed by just one slingshot. The whole Israelites’ camp
rejoiced greatly at the triumph of David.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">It is a day that
David will never forget that God wrought this victorious feat through him. While
others look at their own puny strength, David looks to God who is the most powerful
One of them all. – PS BIBLE News</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ffe599;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">REFLECTION<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ffe599;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #ffe599;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">This story is taken from 1 Samuel chapter
17 in the Bible. David was not like the rest of them who looked at their human
strength to achieve things. When the Israelites found no one who was taller and
stronger than Goliath, they became very afraid and ran. David was different. He
relied upon God even though the king offered him his armour, another man-made
weapon, he rejected it. Instead, David called upon the Name of the Lord and
used what he had to gain the victory over the enemy. Although he was not big
size in the sight of man, he was strong on the inside because he trusted in God.
Are you only strong outwardly? Do you have God inside of you like David?</span></span></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-17308859518922245652015-08-04T18:37:00.005-07:002015-08-05T18:39:51.044-07:00GREEDY NO MORE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQIgwuZ2QmJNMI3OicWu53wUA2myaIWtCkcIAvDOZZycmn_gvfuApMRlqtwKU1AslEGodyXlm_KfRZCKlkkm3uHg9vVC0JmnzZhqc1SMjl-g4RVdhkPN6WeKCIDHB33LNx5SRxTylvyuC/s1600/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQIgwuZ2QmJNMI3OicWu53wUA2myaIWtCkcIAvDOZZycmn_gvfuApMRlqtwKU1AslEGodyXlm_KfRZCKlkkm3uHg9vVC0JmnzZhqc1SMjl-g4RVdhkPN6WeKCIDHB33LNx5SRxTylvyuC/s320/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jericho</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-size: large;">: Zacchaeus, an evil tax
collector received a wonderful guest to stay in his place. It was a talk of the
town. The guest was no ordinary person. Everybody considered this fellow a very
righteous person and some worshipped him as God. His name, Jesus. The
biggest puzzle they had was that how a righteous man like Jesus wanted to come
and stay in the home of this wicked man. Everybody knew that Zacchaues was a
greedy man who liked to threaten people. He cheated people of their money and
had a band of thieves with them, all tax collectors.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">But deep inside
of Zacchaeus’ heart, he knew he had done wrong. Especially so when he heard of
Jesus doing so many marvellous things for the people. Being a greedy person,
Zacchaeus did some very bad things. He could not bear the guilt anymore but
didn’t know who to turn to so that he could change into a better person. He was
shattered and devastated.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Suddenly, Jesus
came into his mind. He heard of Jesus forgiving the sins of the people and of
the many who worshiped Him as the Son of God. He thought that if he could get
hold of Jesus, he would be set free from sins of greed. Furthermore, this will
stop people from grumbling and gossiping about him once and for all. So, he
resolved in his mind to find Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Zacchaeus was a
short man. When he knew Jesus was coming into the part of the town, he was
extremely delighted. But when he saw that Jesus was surrounded by a sea of
people, he could not see nor reach Him. He promised himself that no matter how
he had to see Jesus that day. Nothing stopped him from meeting Jesus. He found
a tree nearby and straight away climbed up just to get a glimpse of Him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">With so many
people clamouring over the Son of God, he was glad that he could at least see
Jesus’ face. Then something happened that day that changed Zacchaeus’ life
forever. Jesus noticed him up on that tree. He was stunned and couldn’t utter a
thing. “He’s seen me! He’s seen me!”, the thought kept ringing in his mind. But
then a marvellous thing happened which completely took the tax collector by
surprise.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Jesus spoke. He
not only spoke but He spoke to Zacchaeus. This was too good to be true. Jesus
asked him to come down from the tree for He wanted to stay in his house.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">“The Son of God
wants to stay at this short, wicked, and greedy tax collector’s place,” he
thought to himself, completely surprised!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Yes! It was
true. Immediately, he reached out his hands towards Jesus and hugged Him,
oblivious of people who cursed him and gossiped about him. They were also
annoyed with Jesus for making friends with this sinner.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">With tears in
his eyes, he told Jesus that he would be a better person. He promised the Son
of God that half of his possessions will be given to the poor. Furthermore, he
would give back four times as much as those whom he had cheated.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">Jesus forgave
him because he genuinely repented of his sins. The greatest thrill of Zacchaeus ‘ life was when his sins were
forgiven and the second greatest must have been to have had Jesus staying in
his house. “WOW!” – PSBIBLE News</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">REFLECTION<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-size: large;">This story is
found in Luke 19:1-10. Jesus said “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what
was lost” (Luke <st1:time hour="19" minute="10" w:st="on">19:10</st1:time>).
Are you lost in your sins of greediness, or grumbling or gossiping? Call on
Jesus and He will come into your heart and forgive all your sins. Your heart is
like Zacchaeus’ house which Jesus can come in and be a friend to you even
though you are a sinner. Hallelujah!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-18663545694117540402015-08-03T18:29:00.001-07:002022-02-20T06:13:24.588-08:00UNFORGIVEN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DGJ-gSx-80_FxeO3txZgWBMqYuwasIMKoX_anS8LZD33HII4y6ZQp4kjyS9BlJGpZHEFZ2y6d9GZxSkaQ-vxtuIZ1nKQCVDLLOQs0UTF32nz7rHP8p5Odwb3MAd9qv41wb9srRD5Gwy6/s1600/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DGJ-gSx-80_FxeO3txZgWBMqYuwasIMKoX_anS8LZD33HII4y6ZQp4kjyS9BlJGpZHEFZ2y6d9GZxSkaQ-vxtuIZ1nKQCVDLLOQs0UTF32nz7rHP8p5Odwb3MAd9qv41wb9srRD5Gwy6/s320/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Middle East</span><span style="font-size: large;">: Today, a king sentenced a man to prison to be
tortured for owing him millions of dollars. At first glance perhaps, many would
think that the king was harsh in his judgement. Actually the king was a
gracious king.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-size: large;">Initially he wanted the servant to pay
everything he owed. If he couldn’t pay, he had to sell off his wife and
children and everything that he owed. This punishment was in accordance with
the law in the country. After the servant pleaded earnestly with the king to
spare him, the king forgave him and cancelled his debt.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-size: large;">Relief and joy were apparent all over his
face as he hugged his wife and children tightly. He bowed low and thanked the
king for his mercy. The next day, he went about his usual work in the palace.
Then he saw a fellow servant who owed him a few hundred dollars. Quickly, he took hold
of his garments and demanded he pay every cent. The man was very afraid of him
because he had no money to pay him back. He pleaded for him to cancel the debt, but he refused to forgive his fellow servant and cancel his debt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-size: large;">Instead he forcefully put him to jail and
kept him there until he paid his debt in full. This was only a few hundred dollars. He
had forgotten that the king, his master cancelled his debt for few million
dollars.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-size: large;">When all of this was happening, some fellow
servants of the king saw everything this ungrateful servant did. They quickly ran
to the king and told him everything he had done.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-size: large;">The king was furious. He sent his guards to
bring the wicked servant before him. He knelt before the king and pleaded once again for his
forgiveness.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-size: large;">“You wicked servant. I cancelled all that
debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your
fellow servant just as I had on you?” the king growled angrily. This is how the
king turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he could pay back all
he owed. – PSBIBLE News</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-size: large;">REFLECTION<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ead1dc; font-size: large;">This story was
told by Jesus in Matthew chapter 18 verses 23 to 34. God wants to teach us that
we need to forgive others. Why? Simple. God gave His only Son to save us from
going to hell. Jesus died on our behalf. In other words, he cancelled our debt
which we could never pay at all like the few million dollars the servant owed
the king. What is a few million dollars compared to a few dollars people owed
you? Therefore, forgive them because God forgave you. Jesus sums up this lesson
on forgiveness when He said in verse 35, “This is how my Heavenly Father will
treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”</span></span></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-8615773098606285932015-07-30T18:41:00.000-07:002015-07-30T18:45:57.770-07:00BE BORN, AGAIN?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PD6O_RFoXCZ-s98A1G3qQWFgb1PkL8mFzDQXtk7Px2oFKY-5wxuoEChQ78FnFJ0Nmtydz2vu-KH82t8eoukS9yhfUQz5wCei7cCEKdxO43sUqr_iNa4vg_omaICKqlF8-BvgNZQ25ofi/s1600/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PD6O_RFoXCZ-s98A1G3qQWFgb1PkL8mFzDQXtk7Px2oFKY-5wxuoEChQ78FnFJ0Nmtydz2vu-KH82t8eoukS9yhfUQz5wCei7cCEKdxO43sUqr_iNa4vg_omaICKqlF8-BvgNZQ25ofi/s320/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></st1:place></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Judea</span></span></st1:place><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-size: large;">: Born again? This phrase was
made famous by Jesus through Nicodemus, a well-known figure from a political
party called the Pharisees. He confronted Jesus late one night when he was
afraid to let others see him with Jesus, because the other Pharisees hated
Jesus. Deep inside him, he knew that Jesus was not just a man. “Is He God?” he
often asked himself for he saw all the miracles He did. That day, the meeting
with Jesus Himself changed him forever.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">He was taken aback when Jesus uttered this
statement, “I tell you the truth, no one can see <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>
unless he is born again.” The last two words, especially, created a great
curiosity in him. He had never heard of such a phrase before in his entire
life. Impossible! He knew in his own life he had done many bad things and if he
could go back to his mother’s womb and be born again, that would be great.
Probably, he would try to be a better person.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">Jesus then began to teach him what “born
again” really meant. It was indeed impossible for Nicodemus to be born again
through the human help of his mother.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">There was a greater meaning in those two
words awaiting him. It was more powerful than he could ever imagine.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">God, the Creator was waiting to recreate
him and make him into a new person. He could now become a new creation or be
“born again”.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">“Born again” here meant being born of God
and that was far better than being born by human descent. In other words, he
could be saved from going to hell and instead, would be on the way to Heaven
where he can live forever and ever with God.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">Jesus led Nicodemus to focus on the
heavenly things when He said that he must be born again. That’s why Jesus told
him that He Himself came from Heaven and He could be trusted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">Then Jesus uttered the greatest statement
and the most beautiful one for the entire world to hear.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">“For
God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes
in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">From then on, Nicodemus knew that God
offered hope to every man who needed to come near to God. The hope of eternal
life. That hope was in Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">Tears began to well up in his eyes as he
knew that God had finally revealed the truth to him and was giving him the chance to be born again.
He understood it all. He had to believe in the Son of God, who was just
standing right in front of him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">That night, Nicodemus thanked God over and
over again that he was able to meet Jesus. <i>“What
if I hadn’t met him?”</i> or <i>“What if I had been so afraid of my friends that I missed the greatest appointment of my life?”</i>
He didn’t dare to imagine the consequences. He went back home reiterating the
same words, <i>“I need to be born again”</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">He was also committed to tell others too. </span></span><i style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-MY">“You
need to be born again,”</span></i><span lang="EN-MY" style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;"> he told others confidently.
– PS BIBLE News</span><br />
<span lang="EN-MY" style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">REFLECTION<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">Everyone needs
to be born again! The good news is everyone can be born again. This story was
found in <i>John chapter 3</i>. God said in
His Word that <i><u>whoever</u></i> believes
in Jesus shall not perish but have eternal life. The word ‘whoever’ includes
you and me. God is always waiting for us to call upon Him because He loves us
very much<i>. “Everyone who calls on the
name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)</i> Have you called upon Jesus
to save you? If not, why don’t you do it today?</span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-MY" style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-18894896792337123482015-07-29T18:28:00.003-07:002015-07-29T18:33:31.675-07:00HOPE REKINDLED: THE RISEN SAVIOUR APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkRfpv-UqW5f7ltQsu5pazq2newyWOoNXZ2QKhfP-Q4o_ZGisMHGV_vD3rh5SLtT3gwxT-qJNMMSHdp_nXbCXFuroED5jgsaIG3oav8vv4sQt1uS9KvxfFXGKOeGooJ5jhMmkYbMbaEf_/s1600/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkRfpv-UqW5f7ltQsu5pazq2newyWOoNXZ2QKhfP-Q4o_ZGisMHGV_vD3rh5SLtT3gwxT-qJNMMSHdp_nXbCXFuroED5jgsaIG3oav8vv4sQt1uS9KvxfFXGKOeGooJ5jhMmkYbMbaEf_/s320/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></st1:place></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Galilee</span></span></st1:place><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-size: large;">: Peter, a strong disciple of
Jesus was extremely sad. When his Master was cruelly hung on a cross, he ran
away from the scene. His mind couldn’t take anymore the anguish of being so
helpless. He had already denied Jesus three times when He was put on trial.
Moreover, he was thinking real hard about why Jesus as God could have been so
easily and humbly captured by mere men. He was confused and frustrated.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-MY">Peter
and the rest of the disciples of Jesus were shocked when their Master appeared
in front of them even though the doors were locked. </span><span lang="EN-MY">When Jesus had calmed them down, they were
all overjoyed, especially Peter. He had every reason to rejoice because he
wanted to turn away from God after failing many times to be a good disciple.
Now, his </span>hope had been rekindled once more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-MY">One
of Jesus’ disciples named Thomas did not want to believe this extraordinary
occurrence unless he could touch Jesus himself. </span>The next day, Jesus appeared to Thomas and
asked him to touch His hands. After realising Jesus had indeed risen from the
dead, he went down on his knees and worshipped Jesus as his Lord and his God.
Jesus forgave his disciples for running away when He needed them to stand by
Him at the cross. All of them repented from their cowardice. Peter was the one
with most hurt when he saw his Saviour alive again. His heart broke into many
pieces when he renounced Jesus. In his mind, he did not want to see Jesus
at all. He was too ashamed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">One
day Jesus took him aside and forgave him personally. He asked Peter three times
whether he still loved Him. This triggered off the memory that he had renounced
Jesus three times, too. Peter felt his heavy guilt lifted away from within him. <span lang="EN-MY">In tears, he understood now that Jesus had
known everything about him all along. His nagging
question of whether he could still serve and follow Jesus was answered in a
remarkable way. </span>Jesus asked him to tend to all His people
and to glorify Him. Peter was overjoyed and made a commitment to follow Him all
the way even if it meant dying on the cross.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-MY">(<i>After
having served the Lord for many years, Peter died for his faith in Jesus on a
cross hung upside down. He died as a martyr. He was happy to die for His Master as he
knew He </i></span><i>would take him home to Heaven to live forever!)</i> – PS BIBLE News</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s
mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time. </span></span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">CAST ALL YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM BECAUSE HE
CARES FOR YOU - 1 Peter 5:6-7</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">REFLECTION<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">This story is found in the book of John
chapter 20 and 21. It tells us that Jesus is indeed risen from the dead. What
does that mean to you? To Jesus’ disciple, it was a hope rekindled after He
left them. They were a confused lot when their Master died on the cross. They
were so delighted to know that Jesus’ words had come to pass when He said that
He would rise again from the dead when they literally saw Him alive again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;">What about you? Does Jesus rising from the
dead mean anything to you? Absolutely yes! In fact, to you and everyone who
lives on the earth. All the other founders of different religions in this world
died. Their graves are still here on earth. Jesus is the only Person who
claimed that He was God and proved it by rising from the dead. And He really
did it! Nobody ever found Jesus’ body and nobody ever will because He is risen.
Therefore, Christians are not believing in a dead man’s testimony but words right
from the mouth of a living Saviour!</span></span></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-43305742173043927802015-07-28T18:25:00.002-07:002015-07-28T22:49:02.358-07:00SAUL SEES THE LIGHT: THE PERSECUTOR OF THE CHURCH BLINDED BY A GREAT LIGHT!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjKWxCo70HbkhSRnpxZPAvoCF5abhrfuVhd9rsRgop0upjkwcMr39lcJbFBjVZtfOOP-5ARPKlzW9RnJOfeo-TEKBxZu0GSEIalF-8hgRgKwaFl8_WzB0_L_Jzs53hcBeXW1Ukz6eTLV1/s1600/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjKWxCo70HbkhSRnpxZPAvoCF5abhrfuVhd9rsRgop0upjkwcMr39lcJbFBjVZtfOOP-5ARPKlzW9RnJOfeo-TEKBxZu0GSEIalF-8hgRgKwaFl8_WzB0_L_Jzs53hcBeXW1Ukz6eTLV1/s320/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><br /></span></st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><st1:city style="color: #cfe2f3;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY">Damascus</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-MY" style="color: #cfe2f3;">:</span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;"> An amazing thing happened to a nasty man named Saul. He was greatly feared for his atrocities
toward the people from the church. Back in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>, he used to beat them and drag them
to prisons to be tortured. His heart cared for no one except for his pride in
obeying the laws of his religion. He was very close to the high priest of his
religion. Once, Saul asked him to grant an approval for him to capture the
Christians who fled to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Damascus</st1:place></st1:city>,
a city far away from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>.
He was very persistent in persecuting them. More amazingly, the Christians were
not angry with him. Instead they prayed for him. they believed the Creator God
is stronger than anyone in this world.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">While Saul was travelling to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Damascus</st1:place></st1:city> to persecute
them, he saw a powerful glaring light. It was so magnificent, shining form
above the clouds that Saul and his companions were thrown off their horses.
Then a powerful voice started to thunder from where the light came. “Saul,
Saul, why do you persecute me?” the voice said. Saul asked, “Who are you,
Lord?” The voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">Saul was spellbound and sat on the ground
in utter disbelief. Was he wrong in turning against the people who believed in
Jesus? Was Jesus alive as the Christians claimed Him to be? Question after
question pounded in his confused mind.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">He wanted to look at the light again just to
see if it was still there but he could not see a thing. He realised then that he was blind!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">His companion did not know the meaning of
the light and the voice. They led him to a house in <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Straight Street</st1:address></st1:street> near here and quickly ran
off.</span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">One of the disciples of Jesus named Ananias
was called by God to go to him. He was a bit hesitant due to this notorious man
and his fervour in persecuting the Christians.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">He obeyed the Lord Jesus. He went to the
house where Saul stayed and prayed for him. Instantly, Saul was healed of his
blindness. He then told Saul what Jesus had done for him.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">Finally, the truth was revealed to Saul in
a miraculous way. Today, he knows that Jesus is his risen Saviour and Lord. He is
still shaking his head at the wonderful mercy of Jesus for giving him a chance
even though he was murderous in dealing with God’s people.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">And so is Ananias. He cannot comprehend how
God is so compassionate and loving in saving Saul.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">No matter how bad a person may be, God is
able to change him. – PS BIBLE News</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">REFLECTION<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">Another powerful story from the Bible! It
is found in the book of Acts chapter nine. God can change a murderous and unmerciful man
into a beautiful saint. How true! After Saul was saved by the Lord Jesus, he
went to his own people, who once were together with him persecuting the
Christians, to tell them about the Saviour, Jesus. What an amazing turnaround!
Have you experienced it yourself? If not, why not let Jesus add colour to your
life?</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus
said, “I have come that they may have life, </span><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: large;">and have it to the full” </span></span><i><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: large;">John 10:10b</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">The main reason for Jesus to come to this
earth is to save mankind from their sins. Sin in this world has clouded mankind
from seeing the true colours of life through God’s eyes. Jesus loves us so much
and he could not bear to see us going through life in doubts, disappointments,
despair and finally towards destruction. He came so that our life could be full
of happiness, hope and love. We can see clearly now the way that leads us to
Heaven and towards ultimate joy with Jesus as our living Saviour.</span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-size: large;">Therefore, let us walk in His way and
follow His commands. Some people do not have joy in God because they choose not
to follow Jesus and do what He says. That’s why there are still millions of
people living in darkness and despair. The good news is that many people too,
have taken the right step to follow Jesus. They have found the joy that they
never had before in Jesus. Have you?</span></span></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-38237836414324343412015-07-28T00:48:00.003-07:002015-07-28T18:34:11.829-07:00GOD'S WORD IS VICTORIOUS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jzvZqi6zKIZkp4ZdPD5HCxlBDQ8_J6XYX-6rTZ2sCW1z_6bKOeH5Ug00Puo7jU3Fj_q_vEfOdmrHbiKcVm9XyA76iiZcN6hm6lMj94h3wcOf6CXxXsNo7-qPfAPlH3v00ic64G9Dt8ao/s1600/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jzvZqi6zKIZkp4ZdPD5HCxlBDQ8_J6XYX-6rTZ2sCW1z_6bKOeH5Ug00Puo7jU3Fj_q_vEfOdmrHbiKcVm9XyA76iiZcN6hm6lMj94h3wcOf6CXxXsNo7-qPfAPlH3v00ic64G9Dt8ao/s320/BREAKING+NEWS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><br /></span></st1:place></st1:country-region></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY"><br /></span></st1:place></st1:country-region></div>
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<span style="color: #ffe599;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-size: x-large;">Jordan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-size: large;">: On the hill of Jordan while
most of the people still sleeping, a tremendous fight took place. It was a
fight of different nature. PS BIBLE News called it ‘The Duel Between Light and
Darkness’.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">Jesus Christ,
claimed that He is God who came as a Man, went there to pray when he met Satan,
nicknamed ‘The devil’. The devil had been very active lately trying to deceive
the villagers to turn away from God. He wanted to disrupt Jesus from doing
God’s will and so decided to tempt him. Satan wanted the Son of God to bow down
and worship him as he had done so to many villagers before. The first subtle
attack came!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">Thus, the fight
began! The Tempter said, “If you are really the Son of God, turn these stones
to bread” He knew that Jesus was hungry. Satan was shocked when Jesus refused
to yield to him. Instead Jesus challenged him with the Word of God. He said,
“Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth
of God” Jesus followed His heavenly Father instead of listening to Satan.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">The devil was
dejected at the defeat. As usual, he did not quit. As they were walking towards
the highest point of a temple, he dared Jesus to jump down. This time, Satan
too quoted God’s Words but he was merely saying it to suit his own desire.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">Jesus did not
jump. He was angry at Satan using God’s Word for a wrong purpose. Then he
jabbed the evil one with another round of God’s Word. He refused him by saying
“God says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’ ” With these powerful
words, he again foiled Satan’s attempt to make Him Satan’s servant. Satan was
devastated! The Word of God used by Jesus is too strong for the devil to
withstand.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">Satan was
desperate! He led Jesus to a high mountain and showed him the beautiful kingdom
below. </span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 117.75pt; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">This time he was
willing to give everything away to Jesus. Everything the devil ever had was
gained through deception. All these would be given to Jesus with one condition:
that he must bow and worship him alone. Satan laughed and thought surely this
time, Jesus would agree to his proposal. But “Away from me, Satan! God says,
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’,” Jesus rejected him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">“What!” The
devil screamed in anger. He covered his face and fled like one chased by a
hungry, fierce wolf.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">The fight was over!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">The infallible
word of God triumphed over evil. Truly, darkness has to flee when light comes!
– PS BIBLE News</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;"><u>REFLECTION</u><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="color: #ffe599; font-size: large;">In this simple
story of the Bible, Jesus showed us the example of using God’s Word in times of
difficulties and temptation. This true story is found in Matthew 4:1-11. in
Hebrew 4:12, it says that the Word of God is living and active, sharper than
any double-edged sword, it penetrates deep inside us and judges our thoughts
and the attitude of our hearts. Psalm 119:105 says that the Word of God is a
lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It simply means the Word of God
guides us through this life!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #ffe599;"><b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Word is like a sword! It is used to counter
Satan’s temptations. </span></span></b><b><i><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: large;">Ephesians 6:17</span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #ffe599;"><b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Word is like fire and a hammer! It consumes and
crushes falsehood. </span></span></b><b><i><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: large;">Jeremiah 23:29</span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #ffe599;"><b><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Word is like water, washing away unrighteousness
from us. </span></span></b><b><i><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-size: large;">Ephesians 5:26;
see also John 15:3</span></span></i></b></span></div>
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THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-20618915203652411632014-06-25T20:29:00.000-07:002014-11-03T21:16:45.743-08:00WE ARE LIVING IN A SICK WORLD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kSpycFRVrvyv2UNb9CqPEEUBHsBbSy5yjhRZx2vixA6jaOgEEXxRLaIDNpQuO3ygjJrajtDbncpk6qVW3egOjtjN8aMmJP0fndyVYriAotskjQZ0FJzKJb0JMUD34SoMlaOb63VnglqC/s1600/SICK+WORLD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kSpycFRVrvyv2UNb9CqPEEUBHsBbSy5yjhRZx2vixA6jaOgEEXxRLaIDNpQuO3ygjJrajtDbncpk6qVW3egOjtjN8aMmJP0fndyVYriAotskjQZ0FJzKJb0JMUD34SoMlaOb63VnglqC/s1600/SICK+WORLD.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The rise of Boko Haram, ISIS, Al Shabaz, dictators and extremists of all kinds, including shootings in schools all over the USA have made this world a sicker place to live. Violence is now not only confined to movies and television shows but acted out everywhere and often in front of young children. Many have taken religion as a front to kill, maim, sexually assault, oppress and subdue. Jesus predicted this will happen, two thousand years ago and we live to see more of it today than ever before. </span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>....the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God (John 16:2).</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then there is narcissism all over the world where people just couldn't care less about all that is happening around them. "What's in it for Me?" </span><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">is their battle cry!</span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">In the last days...People will be lovers of themselves.... (2 Timothy 3:1-2).</span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is this the beginning of the end where the world will get worse culminating to God's final wrath? Or is God telling us that the greatest opportunity for the Gospel is now?</span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>What can followers of Jesus do?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1. Do not add doom to the gloom.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do not go around sulking and whining about the condition of the world. The world is broken and can never get back to its original position until Christ comes again. It will not help at all to add fire to the already raging bush fire. Your world does not need one more problem but a solution, any solution - however small.</span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. Pray and lay everything in God's Hand.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Psalm 73 speaks of a leader who was about to backslide over sinners gaining greater notoriety without repercussions at all from God. Then he went into God's presence, his eyes were opened to see the final destruction of evil wicked men. </span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:"It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord" (Romans 12:19).</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God sees the biggest picture from above while we see things with our little puny cluttered earthly minds. God answers prayers and will release all our sincere tear-filled, heart-broken prayers for justice, when the time is right. (Revelation 5:8; 8:4-5).</span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. Alter the authoritative figure's mindset with God's wisdom.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Convince one person at a time of the need for Jesus, particularly authoritative figures which hold the final word in a family, a department, a company, a constituency or even a province or state. Pray for God to change these hearts. The greatest example of an authoritative turn-around guy in history is Paul in the Bible. He went from persecuting the church to being the greatest missionary and church planter for Jesus Christ!</span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my many experiences of sharing the Gospel, many held back their confession of Christ because they were afraid of some authoritative figures at home, male or female. On the brighter side, I also encountered whole family saved due to the salvation of an authoritative figure.</span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>4. Be patient with the 'patients' of God.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I must confess I did ask God to do 'zappy' things to these 'sick' people. And often God reminded me that I was also a 'sicko' once. Although the degree is different, sin is still sin. God's grace of salvation had reached and touched me and I am forever grateful. Imagine the unimaginable sufferings that will befall these sinners if they do not repent and respond to the Gospel of God. That's why God's patience can out-stretched all of us. He sees the intense darkness for the godless in the future while we want everything to end, send all 'sickos' to hell and close the case.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>5. Do a good deed to people in need.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Action-oriented servings are much better than perfectly-crafted sermons. The Bible is filled with teachings of daily life examples, doing on-the-ground works and reaching the grassroots by deeds. Jesus taught His disciples through personally involved in people's lives, loving, caring and healing them. Many times He was moved with deep compassion and on one occasion, He cried. Jesus did not only preach, he also healed and not only He healed and went away, He changed lives! He believed in the future of all those He saved! For God so loved the world (<i>that includes extremists of all kinds</i>) that He gave His one and only Son... (John 3:16).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>6. Love the Unlovable.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hate the sin and not the sinner. The spew of hatred fuels greater hate. Never in my life will I be able to understand the victims and their families who are deeply affected by all the senseless violence. Perhaps it is more comfortable to hate than to do otherwise, I don't know. But hate is never the answer. Bear with me as I offer my two cents' opinion. In my little suffering and pain, I usually use the Gethsemane prayer principle, "I disliked it. I even hated it. But God, let Your will be done."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The greatest example I believe that left an indelible mark on Jesus' disciples was forgiving the unforgivable, those who ridiculed and mocked Him, those who lashed at Him and spitted on Him and those who crucified Him. He taught it first at the Sermon on the Mount and He did it for all to see. Today, only true followers of Christ love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that....But love your enemies, do good to them...Then you reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:33-37).</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, we are living in a sick world. Yet the remedy is with the true followers of Christ and that remedy is the God-given Good News! It is like a cure for cancer in a cancerous world!</span></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-77778935121549440782014-06-11T21:17:00.002-07:002014-07-21T19:31:53.071-07:00PASSION: THE BRIGHT LIGHT OF GLORY BY LOUIE GIGLIO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This book is written by a team of leading
preachers and Christian voices, all involved in Passion Conference for college students. The book traced the trail of Passion Movement which based on this very verse in Isaiah 26:8, "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #fff2cc;">I was thrilled to read Giglio's unwaning passion for Passion in the book. I could see his passion translated to those he worked with and more so, to the millions of youth who excitedly came for the conference each year. All who wrote in this book shared in his excitement and cooperatively served their best to the theme of the verse above.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #fff2cc;">Louie Giglio and team have never wandered off the tangent of the audience of One, Jesus Christ! Throughout the book, the LORD is being glorified, pleased, shouted forth, boasted of and supremely desired in all their hearts! I give this book 5 stars!</span></span></span></div>
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THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-36804640694574228862014-04-03T21:28:00.001-07:002014-04-03T21:29:49.059-07:00NELSON'S ANNUAL PREACHER'S SOURCEBOOK, VOL. 3 by Dr. O. S. HAWKINS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This book has a wide variety of sermons to choose from and great ideas to ponder upon. As a preacher myself, it is a book that adds to my understanding about the passage of Scripture given there. I don’t follow them but it allows me to better grasp some topics presented. Somehow I was not really excited about this book because of several reasons. Firstly, a preacher needs to hear from God and not extract from other preachers. Secondly, following it may damper the creativity of a preacher. Lastly, the audience in each congregation is different and sometimes a sermon may work well in one but totally disastrous in another. So, for me, I am just okay with this book. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I give this book three stars. Thank you, Thomas Nelson's Publishers for giving me this free e-book for the purpose of the review.</span></b>THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-41619694928039803922014-03-13T01:31:00.000-07:002019-10-09T23:52:08.227-07:00THE CHURCH AT ITS BEST - THE FIRST GREAT COMMISSION CHURCH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Church at Antioch as described in Acts 11:19-29 and 13:1-3, was at that time, a church at its best during the initial years after Christ’s resurrection! It was truly a great Commission church! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The church started on Pentecost after the Holy Spirit moved greatly at Peter’s sermon. Three thousands were converted on that day at Jerusalem (Acts 2). It comprised of all Jewish believers. They were fulfilling what Jesus said by going to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Since the Christians were all Jewish converts, there were two problems - one external and the other, internal. The external problem was that the believers were looked upon as traitors to Moses’ Laws. This gave the religious authority the reason for persecuting the disciples of Christ. They were sure the Romans would side them as the majority to win over their favours. Meanwhile the internal problem had to deal with cliques of all things Jewish. This would eventually lead to inwardness of the Church at Jerusalem, thus curtailing the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Then came the stoning of Stephen to death and igniting widespread persecution on the believers. This led to the migration of believers to other cities across the region except the apostles and some leaders who stayed at Jerusalem. Some Jewish believers went to Antioch, the first city outside of Israel! These did not go there only to escape imprisonment and torture but they shared the Gospel! Thus, the first Great Commission Church - began. The first multi-racial, multi-cultural church. </span><br />
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are few ingredients that make the Antioch church the first Great Commission church and leave a benchmark for any church today.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. It was a witnessing Church (Acts 11:19-21).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The church was started not by a famous preacher or a great church strategist. There were no big names like Paul, Peter or Barnabas in its initial months. It all began when some unnamed and unsung believers believed in the call of the Great Commission. They were persecuted yet they did not give up! They were not ashamed of the gospel for they believed it was the power of God unto salvation! They shared not only to the own native race, but also to the Gentiles. Their passion rested upon Jesus’ very words, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If we are not witnessing to the lost and not winning them to Christ, then the church loses its purpose of existence. Church becomes a club and Christianity becomes a religion with 'dos' and 'donts'!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news...(Isaiah 52:7). This prophecy concerns the future of Israel under captivity to the Babylonians. It'll last for 70 years. When that judgment is over, God will send a messenger of goodnews that Israel is no longer bound. They are free to go. This messenger will be passionate about the message and will run across treacherous terrains to deliver the goodnews. Those in exiles who long to return see the messenger's beautiful feet! The feet of the runner of hope is beautiful! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do we have the passion to run with the Gospel message telling the lost that they are set free by the cross of Christ?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. It was a Discipling Church (Acts 11:22-26).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he saw something that probably never entered his mind before. The Gentiles were expressing their adoration and worship for Jesus Christ the same way that the Jewish believers did! This caused him to be overflowed with joy seeing what Jesus Christ had commanded come to pass. He immediately began to disciple the growing church. He knew he needed to disciple these believers for even greater days ahead! He couldn’t do this alone and so he recruited Saul. Saul had been in Tarsus for four years now, preaching and teaching in the churches throughout the region, and growing in the grace of God. Together, they taught and discipled the new believers in Christ! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Barnabas and Saul are so called functional leaders - they came for a need! Barnabas did not settle down in Antioch as the ‘POPE’. Saul did not set up an office to be the ‘BISHOP’. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do we need prophets today? Sure, if there is a need. Do we need teachers and pastors and evangelists? Of course, if there are needs for them. But more importantly, the church today needs disciplers! Every believer is not only to be followers of Christ but also to teach others to become followers of Christ! Making disciples of all nations, and in Greek, ‘nations’ means all people groups.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Antioch church could go either way. Either it could explode to a great revival or it may implode with racial issues! The church at Antioch was multiracial with a tinge of uneasiness. On one hand, the Jews with their own culture and practices and on the other, Gentiles with their own traditions. Also, in Jerusalem church itself, there were Jewish believers who were skeptical that the Gospel be preached to the Gentiles.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Making disciplers out of the church in Antioch was pivotal. It was a turning point in history of the church of Jesus Christ. It turned out to be the catalyst to fulfill Jesus’ commands to make disciples to the ends of the earth.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is your church a discipling church? A church without strong disciples of Christ is easy target for Satan. If we do not disciple believers by God’s Word, then the world will disciple them. Satan is a great discipler of evil! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The believers in Antioch were the first to call Christians It was a sarcastic remark by those on the outside the church who heard them always talking about Christ. In today’s context, these are Christ fanatics, the holy Joes! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Remember they were disciples first, then called Christians! Today, we have many Christians who are not disciples of Christ! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">John Welsey (1703 - 1791) aptly put it, “My fear is not that our great movement, known as the Methodists, will eventually cease to exist or one day die from the earth. But my fear is that our people will become content to live without the fire, the power, the excitement, the supernatural element that makes us great. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Later William Booth (1829 - 1912) warned, “I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without regeneration, politics without God and heaven without hell. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. It was a sharing Church (Acts 11:27-30).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The multiracial church at Antioch was practising what the Jerusalem church practiced - giving their best for the community of believers. In Antioch, it went one notch higher where the Gentiles were giving to the Jews in Judea! This was a goodwill that would go a long way in promoting peace between the Jewish and Gentile It prompted Paul in his letter later to the Galatian Christians. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">‘Konoinia’ in Greek for ‘fellowship’ literally means to have in common or to share. It was a breakthrough word for the early church where everyone helped each other. The Jerusalem church led the way for the Antioch church to follow. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is your church a sharing church? In other words, “Is it a loving church?” Today we are talking more on prosperity than on generosity. We come to church to take and not so much to give. Perhaps in this generation of so much lies and deceits, we are also much more careful to help one another. We are questioning and justifying everything. Remember the parable of The Good Samaritan how he never think when he chanced upon the badly injured guy, “Maybe he deserves it because of some sins in his life” or “Maybe someone else would come and help” or “If I help, I may be accused of hurting him”.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. It was a worshipping Church (Acts 13:2-3). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Antioch church, the believers came corporately together before God in submitting to His Lordship. They surrendered themselves as instruments in the hands of the Master. The word ‘worshipping’ in NIV here literally means ministering to God. They were waiting before God to hear from Him and were ever ready to obey the Holy Spirit! Fasting and devotion to God speak of their seriousness of doing the will of God. With this attitude, God was ready to speak to them!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is your church a worshipping church? Author Joshua Harris wrote a book entitled, “Stop dating the church” and he wrote how in our consumer-driven church market we’ve developed the practice of hopping from one church to the next, attending this church or that church based on how we feel on that particular Sunday morning. We have too many CEO Christians today. Christmas Easter Only. Not those who are seriously wanting to hear from God and ready to obey His commandments. Let us be a church that seriously yearn to hear from God and obey His voice!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. It was a Sending Church (Acts 13:2-3)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because of their readiness to hear God and to obey Him, they obediently sent off Barnabas and Saul when the Holy Spirit called! Mind you, these two were the best of the lot! Someone said, ‘The church is not an institution to be protected but a Movement to be expanded’. The real Church is like an army, ready and alert. They are always on the move to gain territories for Jesus! Jesus is our Lord and He is on a mission! And He is using the church for His mission and no gates of hell shall prevail against it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is your church a sending church? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Antioch church began with some unnamed believers and it turned up to be the first Great Commission Church. From Antioch, the apostle Paul started his missionary journeys, all the way Asia Minor and Rome, creating a wide regional Church later on. Thus Jesus’ commands to reach the ends of the earth was obeyed even though not all fulfilled during the Antioch days! However, the effects of that church in Antioch had gone global! It was a local church with a global mission!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let us learn from the Antioch Church these five ingredients that make up of a Great Commission Church and shine forth Jesus for God’s glory! </span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #ffe599; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-57307567572228055512014-01-14T18:18:00.001-08:002014-04-03T23:40:15.536-07:00THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW OF MOSES<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf69unRguRM6PhuPNhyphenhyphenUGL4lizjwkWYbmpNsx-NHwom5XDhnaX0GCaKw-9eHUwnpvzHcH-X2aLuryqX_BYgAMW9o7fBTiAlVPYQm_q1Eog1kJ5PDWW6i8IFc-DkS6QSBxrNlNUtp4-TmuR/s1600/cross_law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf69unRguRM6PhuPNhyphenhyphenUGL4lizjwkWYbmpNsx-NHwom5XDhnaX0GCaKw-9eHUwnpvzHcH-X2aLuryqX_BYgAMW9o7fBTiAlVPYQm_q1Eog1kJ5PDWW6i8IFc-DkS6QSBxrNlNUtp4-TmuR/s320/cross_law.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Doug
gulped a mouthful of tablets as usual before he retired to bed. The scholarly
old man just finished perusing the last documents of the new regulations of the
society. Poor health and constant late nights had caused him to feel more
lethargic as ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
he began to lie down to bed, his phone rang. “Yes!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh
no! Prof., that idiot has done it again,” the other person on the line
muttered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Calm
down, Rex. What done it again?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Calvin
has changed some rules in our society! He wanted to change what you have done
over the last ten years!” Doug’s assistance hollered.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What!
Calvin again?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
People-Choice-Awards Society was a powerful entity in the city, highly
sponsored by the corporate world and sanctioned by the government itself. Doug
with some prominent professors and business people had founded the society,
giving out awards for life-changing works either through a person or a group.
As years went by, there were added regulations to protect its awards until it
was almost impossible for common people to participate. No one dared to
criticize the Society because of its many high-standing patronages. Doug often
boasted, “My rules are chiselled on stone.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Calvin
was a young successful businessman. He had done a great deal for society
especially among the poor and was named caring entrepreneur of the year by a
famous newspaper. Yet, he could not break in to Doug’s Society although he
submitted his work many times. One day, he thought to change things within and
was appointed into the board. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From
inside, he could see all the unbending extra regulations, making it extremely
difficult for anyone to win without help and intervention. The young
entrepreneur looked up to the sky and decided to change things so that the
original intention of the Society would be realised again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
many years heading the outfit, Doug had proudly added new laws to secure his
position in the Society and also to please the many opinions of various people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Calvin,
do you care to explain why you have to change some regulations which we had set
so meticulously by all of us?” Doug questioned his colleague. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes!
I think we need a clarification from you,” Rex insisted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Calvin
cleared his throat. “Listen to me, all my esteemed colleagues. I did not change
the regulations at all. I simply simplify them for the sake of better
following. Through the years, the laws have been too rigid and stiff.
Furthermore, the added regulations made them more impenetrable. We need to
guide the people who submitted their applications so that they could follow
along with us,” he explained confidently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It
was Doug who roped in Calvin to the board. The plot was to have as many on his
side as possible. The longer the energetic young man was in, the hotter he was
to handle. In the end, Calvin managed to get more than half onto his side for
the change. Doug was losing the popularity and the majority vote. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But...it
was agreed already our set of rules,” Doug argued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do
you have better ones?” One influential board member spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Doug,
we have benefitted by your many years of service here. It’s time we need
fresher ideas from the younger generation,” opined another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
old man was smiling on the outside but gritted his guts. “I suggest we go for a
vote on this,” he suggested, hoping against hope to win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">As
the 10 board members began to vote, Calvin was praying for an overwhelming
support. The votes were counted, 9 to 1. Doug took a long hard look at Rex,
stood up and said, “I resign!”</span><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">The
Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:17-20 was a history changing time for
Israel and for the rest of the world. The Law of Moses given by God at Mount
Sinai had always been the supreme laws of the Land. Kings would make or break
in regards to those laws. The whole nation rises or falls depending on them. God
desires His people to follow His laws to shout His fame but sadly, they fail and fail Him miserably!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">The
laws of Moses first of all are good laws – scholars of the Bible argued that
they are more humane than the laws of Israel’s many surrounding nations. When
Jesus came upon the scene, He seemed like abolishing all those laws. Of course,
the Pharisees and teachers, strict guardians of Moses’ laws, especially the Ten
Commandments, were shoving and screaming at Jesus. They added many laws until
they reached 613 commandments. <i>(According to Babylonian Talmud, Makkot 23b-24a,
the negative commandments number 365, which coincides with the number of days
in the solar year and the positive commandments number 248, a number ascribed
to the number of bones and main organs in the human body)</i> One can now see the
impenetrable laws which evolve to become a trap for everyone. In fact, God
wants the laws to be an ‘X-ray’ to show that all have sinned and
fall short of God’s glory. A ‘wake-up’ call for all, that everyone needs a Saviour!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">The
Son of God managed to stir up all kinds of emotions among the people when He made some
seemingly new alterations to laws that they were taught carefully to obey since
young. When we look a little closer at Scriptures, Jesus Christ neither
abolishes nor changes the laws of Moses. In fact, He upgrades them even
further. The people of Israel used to obey from the power of the will and when
Jesus came, He wanted them to obey from inside out. Murder stemmed from anger
and adultery caused by lust from the heart (Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28). Jesus
wanted a complete overhaul of the heart! In fact a new heart must replace an
old one and that would need divine intervention. This was not a
surprise if the people understood the Old Testament correctly! It was prophesied from Moses to the prophets!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: #ead1dc;">The
LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants,
so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live
(Deuteronomy 30:6).<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: #ead1dc;">I
will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you
your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: #ead1dc;">I
will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people,
and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart
(Jeremiah 24:7).<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">Thus,
Jesus began to change the mindset of the people of His days that without God in
them to help them, they would fail miserably. Only after Jesus died and
resurrected, the people began this ‘new heart’ lives with the Holy Spirit in
them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i>And
with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit” (John
20:22).</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">With
613 tangled and complex laws, it is unsurprising that the Jews were ensnared in
the circle of confusion. One can remember when at the Garden of Eden, there was
only one law – do not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil (Genesis 2:16-17). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">Jesus then shortened 613 laws to two greatest
commandments which all the Law and the Prophets hung on (Matthew 22:34-40). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i>‘Love
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it:
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’’</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">No
one could and can fulfill or fully obey Moses’ laws except one Man – Jesus
Christ! He lived a perfect sinless life and no one could point a finger at Him or talk
a single bad about Him. Therefore He was worthy to die on our behalf for all
our sins. When He died on the cross for the sins of mankind, Jesus in essence
‘carried believers’ over to God! Not one person could or can earn himself or herself to be
restored to the relationship with God! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">When
we go to heaven, God sees Jesus’ sacrifice as the seal of redemption! Not us!
We are all sinners condemned to hell if not for our Saviour!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><i>Therefore,
there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through
Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law
of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened
by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to
be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the
righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live
according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4).</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;">So,
we come back to the Person of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus left to heaven after
His resurrection, He sent the Holy Spirit to be in every believer. He was the
promise of God of how a ‘new heart’ believer should live from then on. The Holy Spirit
is working His way in us so that we can obey the two greatest commandments
mentioned above. From the inside out!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #ead1dc;"><b>Next:
Anger and Murder (Matthew 5:21-26)</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-4766107568876586892014-01-09T23:16:00.000-08:002014-01-09T23:16:50.349-08:00FORGIVENESS - OVERCOMING THE IMPOSSIBLE BY MATTHEW WEST<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_ntzERmfT7w_cCorxtqk4HTDxliRtHkg3kOYracvIE4vIGWAVhPBYa60tRNQdX0K3TXNLxouZoNGieKKk5Bb69JBIZn-fvkPG2SBku3u5x_b5a3WRAb04tftSCvFCUmtlCH1lLqUal8N/s1600/FORGIVENESS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_ntzERmfT7w_cCorxtqk4HTDxliRtHkg3kOYracvIE4vIGWAVhPBYa60tRNQdX0K3TXNLxouZoNGieKKk5Bb69JBIZn-fvkPG2SBku3u5x_b5a3WRAb04tftSCvFCUmtlCH1lLqUal8N/s1600/FORGIVENESS.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a book about doing the most difficult task – to forgive.
What I like about Matthew West’s forgiveness is the real life stories of brokenness
and despair of being hurt and the laboriously burdensome journey to
forgiveness. Although the stories here ended with forgiveness and victory,
there are always real incomprehensible struggles within each character. There was
always the “why me?” question ringing loudly within. At the end, it was God! The
grace of God that always manages to set the pace for healing in all kinds of
hurt. And I believe Matthew West in this book shouts, “It is possible!” Not humanly possible but God-possible! The
author’s intention is clear: do not let unforgiveness keep you bound, let
forgiveness set you free to your God-given destiny! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you Book Sneeze for the free ebook for the purpose of
this review.</span></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-84681475982091683342013-11-27T22:36:00.001-08:002013-11-27T22:36:31.283-08:00YOU’LL GET THROUGH THIS – MAX LUCADO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-qXbwLSkQxn-_I1MjLuh7EL55o9YEReRdmc2GZTPurmoJIUYPMkN0FpSjZdXaW_gWf9LiT0JUO1nyP9gyKmQher-y_3lhylyvxTtLPLtoVHTu_74fUjLEcxcoUc4yyyIiK-am47xxL8s/s1600/max+lucado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-qXbwLSkQxn-_I1MjLuh7EL55o9YEReRdmc2GZTPurmoJIUYPMkN0FpSjZdXaW_gWf9LiT0JUO1nyP9gyKmQher-y_3lhylyvxTtLPLtoVHTu_74fUjLEcxcoUc4yyyIiK-am47xxL8s/s1600/max+lucado.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He has done it again! This time, Lucado has inspired and stretched
me with his insightful views and no nonsense approach to suffering. His artistic writing skill of Old Testament’s
story of Joseph penetrated into my spirit deep within. The book would hopefully
provide an encouragement and relief to those who are going through severe trials
that indeed, God will get them through! In the end, one thing is clear in this
book, we will go through trials and there is no easy way out. However, we will
get through any trials if we do not give up on God! Words of men sometimes are
not enough to heal a hurt but when the eyes of sufferers are focused on God, they
would eventually sail through! The Joseph's story is true testament to what God can do in our lives if we let Him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I give this book 5 stars.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you, BookSneeze, for providing this e book free for
the purpose of this review.</span></div>
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THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-58418702871337843902013-10-08T20:14:00.000-07:002013-10-08T20:14:37.784-07:00BILLY GRAHAM IN QUOTES by Franklin Graham and Donna Toney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefceQt5VbqLanCwgRGHt8iuSNCSkLtTMlsG3Zutlts_na5C3f4hEWHnI1Y_q2zsY4NFCU4abTCPT7o8_TUsrhQwOVQ1tbOOFeNPIWH0NkNZp_xI3_fu8Sk5xRadZRScUPDpme4ktpqWcD/s1600/billy+graham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefceQt5VbqLanCwgRGHt8iuSNCSkLtTMlsG3Zutlts_na5C3f4hEWHnI1Y_q2zsY4NFCU4abTCPT7o8_TUsrhQwOVQ1tbOOFeNPIWH0NkNZp_xI3_fu8Sk5xRadZRScUPDpme4ktpqWcD/s1600/billy+graham.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love reading whatever books and articles concerning this
man called Billy Graham. There is so much to learn from this spiritual giant of
a man. This book is precious to me for several reasons. First of all, I could just
flip to many of his quotes at will to learn from him and his many years of
experience. Secondly, I can get to keep his quotes at hand, whenever I preach
or share, I could use them. Thirdly, the compilations of topics and dates of
the quotes make it easier for me to find his quotes. Most importantly, I am so
blessed to be able to strengthen my spiritual life with so many golden nuggets
from the greatest evangelist of the 20<sup>th</sup> Century. He left a true
spiritual legacy not only in his quotes but more so, his well-lived life! I give this book 5 stars. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I want to thank BookSneeze once again for their generosity in providing this free-ebook for the purpose of this review.</span></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-23974024205222627182013-10-07T23:35:00.001-07:002014-02-07T19:31:31.301-08:00NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY POWER BUT BY MY SPIRIT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7OIw4N3csTFafg7w5Uu0ZMRYlpgMR67HloxEDxQcbdQ4jP4rlDEe2J0S_0mMqi2CjbvQmOjqaWoDbRIwq2wog8wuhlA77IXZ9dMPFyOGqaVR8_pzpZBvfvk_JW8tiAoMbB1YLqw55MxE/s1600/HOLY+SPIRIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7OIw4N3csTFafg7w5Uu0ZMRYlpgMR67HloxEDxQcbdQ4jP4rlDEe2J0S_0mMqi2CjbvQmOjqaWoDbRIwq2wog8wuhlA77IXZ9dMPFyOGqaVR8_pzpZBvfvk_JW8tiAoMbB1YLqw55MxE/s640/HOLY+SPIRIT.jpg" height="233" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the years leading up to the destruction of the nation of Judah and its temple, prophet Jeremiah preached of repentance. Sadly, the cries of the heart-broken prophet went unheeded. God made up His mind to raise up the Babylonians to finally subdue the stubborn nation. King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple and took most of the people into captivity. Thus the colourful history of Israel ended with no national and spiritual identities. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seventy years later, another empire, King Cyrus of Medo-Persia, took a different stance and released some Jewish people back to their homeland. He even allowed them to rebuild the temple. It was a small taste of restoring national and spiritual identities albiet under foreign domination.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Zerubabbel, the leader of the remnants that returned, together with Chief Priest, Joshua, challenged the people to rebuild the temple. Under the preaching of prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the Jewish people began to visualise the spiritual identity of their nation. The temple must be rebuilt to reunite the people under one God! When the foundation was laid, the older ones who saw Solomon's temple began to weep aloud because it was a much smaller temple (Ezra 3:12-13).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Many returnees were still discouraged as they looked to their own feeble strength and the power of the Persian empire. This was when the word of God spoken through prophet Zechariah saying, <i>“Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6).</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">‘Might’ here in Hebrew also speaks of army or corporate strength and power (perhaps personal strength or status of a person). Both these utterly pale in comparison to the power of the Holy Spirit!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What can we learn from Zechariah 4 about the Holy Spirit?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. THE HOLY SPIRIT CLEARS THE PATH</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>“What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground...” (Zechariah 4:7a).</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God will make a way when there seems to be no way through the power of the Holy Spirit! Mighty mountains may be a hindrance to man but not to the Holy Spirit. In fact, nothing is impossible to God! He is able to clear all ‘mountains’ in your life to bring out the best that He created you to be!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are your mountains today that keep you hindered from giving your best to the Lord? Perhaps past and present hurts? Are there fears, weaknesses, inadequacies or discouragements? Whatever our mountain may be, the Holy Spirit is able to level it! He doesn’t want us to be stuck or stagnated in our walk with God! He wants us to move on to another level of faith, bringing glory to God in our lives!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Holy Spirit is both a passionate and compassionate Spirit! He loves to help us live a power-filled life, full of meaning and purpose. To be the best God has for us!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The famous philosophical group among the Greeks and the Romans called the Stoics had decided that the essential worthwhile attribute of God was what they called ‘apathea’. So their ‘gods’ were apathetic - but not in the sense of the English word because ‘apathea’ means much more than simple indifference- it means: incapable of feeling anything; without any pathos; without any feeling; and without any emotion. The Holy Spirit is ‘Hagios’ Spirit and not ‘apathea’. ‘Hagios’ here means ‘set apart’ or simply, ‘different’. Jesus is definitely different from the ‘apathea’ gods that the Stoics believed. He was compassionate and even wept when Lazarus died.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The normal Greek word for ‘help’ is “Antilambano”. Paul deliberately used ‘Sunantilambano’ for Holy Spirit’s help in Romans 8:26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The above passage is the only time Paul used this word for help. In fact, in the whole New Testament, the word, ‘Sunantilambano’ appeared only twice. The other was used in Luke 10:40. Martha reacted angrily when he asked Jesus for Mary’s help. <i>“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”</i> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The emphasis on this Greek word for, ‘help’ speaks of the Spirit’s passion to come alongside Christians to help achieve great works for the glory of Jesus Christ! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Holy Spirit passionately cares for us! When we plan to share the gospel to others, the devil is angry and may want to discourage us. Sometimes we may feel overwhelmed by the task ahead, just like the Jews who came back from captivity. They felt overwhelmed with oppositions and minimal resources in rebuilding the temple. Yet, the Holy Spirit levelled all mountains of obstacles in their paths! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The same Spirit will level the mountains for us! He clears all paths that hinder us with His awesome power! At the end, Zerubbabel and the Jews rebuilt the temple as promised. Later, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls in Jerusalem thus continuing Jewish national and religious identities. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the New Testament, despite severe oppositions, Peter and the rest of Jesus’ disciples changed Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria upside down for God’s glory! The name of Jesus was lifted high! His ministry continued unabated through the power of the Holy Spirit. True enough, the commands of Jesus to go to all the world in the Holy Spirit’s power was fulfilled by His followers (cf. Acts1:8). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mighty mountains will be levelled!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. THE HOLY SPIRIT CREATES UNITY</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>“...Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’” (Zechariah 4:7b).</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Jewish people were challenged to stay united in rebuilding the temple. They had the same vision and same dream - to shout the fame of Yahweh, the true and the living God! And to make Israel great again.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After Jesus gave His last command, 120 gathered in the upper room waiting for the power of the Holy Spirit! The Bible says they were all together. Everyone got the vision, everyone owned it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Great evangelist Dwight L. Moody once stated, "I have never yet known the Spirit of God to work where the Lord's people were divided." </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. THE HOLY SPIRIT COMPLETES GOD’S WORK</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. (Zechariah 4:8-9).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The rebuilding of the temple in Zerubabbel’s days was vital in galvanising His people to stand united under God. As promised, the Holy Spirit completed God’s plan by His power through Zerubabbel and the people! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No matter how difficult it may be, how long it takes, the Holy Spirit will complete the plan of God! The plan of God will go on! Do you know that the plan of God will go on with or without us? If Moses’ generation didn’t want to do, God would raise up a Joshua’s generation! If Jeremiah’s generation was not willing, there would be a Zerubabbel’s generation! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why does God choose to restore this nation called Israel? It all started with this man called Abraham. God called him and gave him a promise that he would carry His plan to the rest of the world.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From Abraham to his son Isaac and finally to his grandson, Israel (or Jacob, his old name). Israel became a nation which God chose to carry on His plan. From this nation came forth the Saviour of the world - Jesus Christ and from Jesus Christ, blessings flow to the rest of the world! And God will finally complete His plan for planet earth through the power of His Holy Spirit! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. THE HOLY SPIRIT CAUSES SMALL TO BECOME BIG</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Who dares despise the day of small things,... (Zechariah 4:10a).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To God, size does not matter. His principle is always to start small. A mustard seed will eventually grow into the largest garden plant and a tree. A small amount of yeast will permeate the large amount of dough (Matthew 13:31-33). The former will have birds making their nests on the tree, and it all began from a small seed. The latter shall become bread, feeding many and making them strong. All because of little yeast! Jesus started His kingdom on earth with Himself, and then He gathered a small band of twelve unschooled, rough and tough disciples. Today, we have more than two billion believers! Small shall become big when the Holy Spirit moves! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. THE HOLY SPIRIT CLOTHES GOD’S PEOPLE WITH POWER</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?” He replied, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I said. So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth” (Zechariah 4:12-14).</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God uses people! He used Zerubabbel to rebuild the temple. He used Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Throughout history, all men and women of God did great things for God because God chose to use them by the power of the Holy Spirit! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit empowers only in certain people. Priests, kings and some leaders were anointed with oil! But the prophet Joel prophesied that one day all of God’s children will be endued with the Holy Spirit’s power!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days! (Joel 2:28-29).</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peter quoted the above verses when he preached his first evangelistic sermon where three thousand souls gave their lives to Christ. From then on, there was no stopping the power of the Holy Spirit!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If a reverend or reverend doctor in front of his name comes to you and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">says, ‘Only I have the anointing of the Holy Spirit,’ he might be reading a different Bible than the universal Holy Bible. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In conclusion, the baton is now in our hands! In the hands of all of us who are called to be followers of Christ! To bring to reality the promise first given to Abraham as the blessing to the whole world! To shine forth Christ to christless souls all over the globe. How in the world are we to achieve this gigantic task? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ead1dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)!</i></b></span>THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-74474197907535906722013-07-10T23:07:00.002-07:002023-09-14T06:27:28.361-07:00YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCAiQ0qiGewc2Id1PIpOobBTjtXFNKJxmY92WiXLAoZ1y5jwp5JxRqFLusSi-JjmhiHGA1umvAt8_GOOJH8gX51VZKy1GeF2RAvpfTsN_gxibNPymRSbYKx7zRLHLTN3D-WHG0QJGF2i8/s1600/salt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCAiQ0qiGewc2Id1PIpOobBTjtXFNKJxmY92WiXLAoZ1y5jwp5JxRqFLusSi-JjmhiHGA1umvAt8_GOOJH8gX51VZKy1GeF2RAvpfTsN_gxibNPymRSbYKx7zRLHLTN3D-WHG0QJGF2i8/s1600/salt.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dave raises both his hands in triumph! In the quietness of his office,
he lets out a soft, “Yes!” After many years of research, finally a breakthrough
appears imminent. Now, no one can stop him from creating a powerful vaccine to
protect human lungs from tuberculosis. It can even cure it much quicker than
normal medicine can. As he still celebrating in his heart, Becky, his assistant
comes in for a usual discussion. This gives Dave a fright that he almost falls
down from his chair. “Sorry, Dave, I should have knocked,” Becky speaks with a
grin. “It’s okay. I was being careless just now,” Dave replies quickly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You were asking for some virus samples so urgently yesterday. Is there
any improvement on the vaccine yet?” his able assistant asks casually. “Not
really. Still working on it. As you know how any research is,” Dave explains
sheepishly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Becky leaves him alone again. The scientist quickly dials for the
Director of Potent Drugs Co., the largest pharmaceutical company in the state.
An appointment is hastily arranged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Dr. David, this is quite a news,” James, CEO of PDC leans over and
speaks softly to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“This is gigantic news, one that can create waves around the world,”
Dave proclaims excitedly. “I know that it is the government’s project but if
you patent this, your PDC can own this first. You do know about the
ramifications on the P and L, don’t you?” he adds.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“So, cut the chase. What’s in it for you?” James speaks sternly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“100 million ”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“How do you plan to settle with our government on this before we give
you the money?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You give me 100 million and bank into my Swiss account and I give the
entire research to your scientists. I want money not name or fame. You can do
what you want with the whole research”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Can I trust you on this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Bring a scientist that you can trust and I will show the person the
real stuff.”</span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Later at Home</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Hello baby, I am home,” Dave greets Donna, his wife. “Hi! How’s
work?” Donna asks with concern as it is late. “As usual,” he bluffs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You know what, Dave. Just now, our daughter came home crying and said
how come your research on tuberculosis took so long. Her friend’s mother is
diagnosed with that and has been coughing super badly,” his wife speaks
enthusiastically about their 8-year old daughter’s compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Oh..that is sad. Our girl is really growing up well,” he answers and
turns away. His conscience takes a sharp jab.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The Next Morning</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Who are these people, Becky?” Dave asks, visibly upset. “Oh..
these are the family members of people they love who suffer severe
tuberculosis. They are touring our facilities and wanted to know the latest
happenings in our experiments,” Becky replies. “Can you do a short briefing and
just encourage them a bit?” she adds with compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I have been hearing of tuberculosis sufferers lately. Is God telling me
something?” Dave thought to himself. Although he attended church only a few times while he was younger, some verses flash back to his mind. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16).</span><br />
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Suddenly, he realises that his research project is bigger than him. It is absolutely priceless. This 'light' will bring hope for tuberculosis sufferers (or even later, lung cancer patients) all over the world. Dave decided not to hide his research anymore. He makes up his mind too not to let greed mix into this 'salt' and loses its effectiveness to impact the world! If he hands over this research to a company, they may make the vaccine unreachable to poor people.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f4cccc;">The Sermon on the Mount continues with salt and light analogies. God is so bent on blessing the world that He even sent His Son, Jesus to die for the sins of mankind. In others words, God gives His all. His 'light' is never once hidden. His 'salt' never loses its saltiness!</span></span><br />
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Jesus challenges all of us to be like God. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).</span><br />
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Be a blessing! Don't 'hide' our kingdom-living lives or 'shine' only for a select few. During Jesus' days, there were towns built on a hill. Still they are today in Israel. Those towns are plain for everyone to see. In the same way, let us shine Jesus for all to see! There are so many today trapped in darkness, groping along dark alleyways of worldly philosophies in an uncaring world. They need to be set free from all kinds of bondage! Jesus calls us 'light of the world' and if we are not shining, it is so 'oxymoronic'.</span><br />
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Salt is used mainly to add flavour to food and to preserve food for a longer period of time. Many people ask, 'can salt actually loses its saltiness?" The answer is yes. Salt loses its saltiness when it mixes with water or perhaps some kind of substance that dilutes its influence. Believers in Jesus are salt of the earth, influencers in the stinking world! If we lose the salt 'value', then it is good for nothing*. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All of us have been gifted in one way or another. Use whatever God has given us to influence lives for Jesus! We are saved to serve. We are purposefully created to accomplish God's purposes. And we do it for His glory! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*When Jesus says, 'thrown out and trampled underfoot' when salt loses its influence, He is NOT talking about Christians being thrown into hell when they do not produce results. Our Master Communicator just uses common things to illustrates His teachings. He is plainly saying that it is useless when salt has lost its saltiness, that's all.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Next: The Fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17-20)</i></b></span><br />
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THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-22622564013629624952013-06-24T20:43:00.000-07:002013-06-24T20:52:44.023-07:00GODS AT WAR – KYLE IDLEMAN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM9RiE5Mt4nqdPegJPLzjIsgei7xO-Y1u28adHyrfWdXU_R34oASYXHvelVxY5yaoik4H2MY3EmQEq5snJH32MC_KHfgXV0HNVJ7XJkijlpdYPCN-keyX0Rtp96i9ropduxybCR_wKsHp/s1600/_240_360_Book.804.cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM9RiE5Mt4nqdPegJPLzjIsgei7xO-Y1u28adHyrfWdXU_R34oASYXHvelVxY5yaoik4H2MY3EmQEq5snJH32MC_KHfgXV0HNVJ7XJkijlpdYPCN-keyX0Rtp96i9ropduxybCR_wKsHp/s320/_240_360_Book.804.cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the most comprehensive book on
idolatry that I have ever read. Often times, Christians today are
underestimating the powers of all kinds of idolatry seeking their focus and
eventually sucked their faith dry. These so called ‘gods” would entice and lure
all whose hearts are unprepared for war against them. The author identified the
various ‘gods” but also warned of their powers. He showed the reality of all
these by giving real life stories and how these “gods” had damaged them
spiritually and mentally.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Although the book suggests a serious battle
for our spiritual lives, it offers hope for all. The Almighty God is on our
side! God is actively and jealously pursuing men and women to be who He wants
them to be! There are stories of victory! It is possible to stay focus on
the true and living God. The “gods’ of idolatry can be defeated! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This book is both inspirational and practical
and I enjoyed it thoroughly! I highly recommended to all who desire to go all
the way for Jesus!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I give the book five stars. I would also thank Book Sneeze for their generosity in giving me this free ebook for the purpose of this review.</span></div>
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THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-22476638214166212672013-05-01T19:13:00.001-07:002013-05-01T19:13:10.762-07:00DIRTY GOD: JESUS IN THE TRENCHES – JOHNNIE MOORE<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiVVLvcXiSW5fI8Gau1wLk2gqddkrvhQCLoOeRNfw1PSoBss21d91hVZ1akpK-hUNs2c32gbT1N246quTc6HBamsWqYSuJOT_fZ_1ELZslrxxztP7GsQjbHHVIheHZHRF3Qcr5fEzxlwD/s1600/_225_350_Book.750.cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiVVLvcXiSW5fI8Gau1wLk2gqddkrvhQCLoOeRNfw1PSoBss21d91hVZ1akpK-hUNs2c32gbT1N246quTc6HBamsWqYSuJOT_fZ_1ELZslrxxztP7GsQjbHHVIheHZHRF3Qcr5fEzxlwD/s320/_225_350_Book.750.cover.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I first started to read this book, I was skeptical of
another ‘cheap grace’ kind of author expounding overarching encompassing grace
of God to envelop humanity. Everyone would have a sweet aroma of life on earth
and “and they will live happily ever after” stuff at the end of the book. But I
was wrong. The author knew his stuff as a well-traveled man who has seen, read
and experienced what was truly grace. I was particularly excited when he
mentioned the grace that Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s in his book, The Cost of
Discipleship, wrote about. Grace is not cheap! Moore’s comprehensive and
thorough takes on the grace of God thrilled
and inspired me. It made God to be more wonderful that I ever thought
before. It also made me to be much smaller, more stinkier that I ever thought
before. I was not worth the effort Jesus put in for me, yet He did it anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All in all, it was a very well-written, a book that will
perhaps transform perception of many readers of the Saviour, Jesus Christ, the
Grace personified! And I love the catchy title too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you Book Sneeze for allowing this free ebook for the
purpose of this review. I give this book a five-star!</span></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-84714908777131260682013-04-08T19:26:00.002-07:002013-04-08T19:26:37.639-07:00DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF RICK AND KAY WARREN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRGdwkPfUM8BsTKp75slha_4fcNTHlKB2fUQKvaEoyA5WoWQlceYUHYDI5uAflJefGo1Tsw18PCr_AcXlAy6ukKJWjeNdj-Iu0KGKm2K3hIgQJb4UO6yV4nPxKJA_nME4IngCzidIY0p7/s1600/matthew-warren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRGdwkPfUM8BsTKp75slha_4fcNTHlKB2fUQKvaEoyA5WoWQlceYUHYDI5uAflJefGo1Tsw18PCr_AcXlAy6ukKJWjeNdj-Iu0KGKm2K3hIgQJb4UO6yV4nPxKJA_nME4IngCzidIY0p7/s320/matthew-warren.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it was announced last Sunday by my senior pastor at the pulpit over the suicide of Rick's youngest son, I was deeply saddened. The first thing that came to my mind is "why?" as usual. Human words will never be sufficient to ease the pain but God's Word and His Holy Spirit will eventually be able to penetrate the deepest hurt and heal them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To Rick and Kay, although I am in Malaysia, I felt the grieve and so did great many pastors and members I know here. You are greatly loved and we are all praying for you and your family.</span><br />
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<br />THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-51244706997655046142013-03-05T19:05:00.001-08:002013-03-06T17:34:39.311-08:00THE BIBLE SERIES BY MARK BURNETT AND ROMA DOWNEY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYviSF-uLGLQuYEUyUcNS4bW3NSAjCNhLkdSXx_2Q2ObmmlAOdsYvon4Vp7pRHVuTdidgOkzNWO5dHjXpAQ964sTaIwU_INVEvMMQ3TVWFDvlmCCMhUus-Hesasm6XnI5wu7YlEF60MC1O/s1600/Mark-Burnett-Roma-Downey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYviSF-uLGLQuYEUyUcNS4bW3NSAjCNhLkdSXx_2Q2ObmmlAOdsYvon4Vp7pRHVuTdidgOkzNWO5dHjXpAQ964sTaIwU_INVEvMMQ3TVWFDvlmCCMhUus-Hesasm6XnI5wu7YlEF60MC1O/s1600/Mark-Burnett-Roma-Downey.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">PS BIBLE MINISTRY salutes Mark Burnett and Roma Downey for their godly passion and hard work in making The Bible Series a reality! I pray that it would come to the shore of Malaysia soon! </span>THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2490546769004779306.post-63364569732281288962013-02-21T18:07:00.001-08:002013-03-05T19:06:35.310-08:00WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE – MARK DRISCOLL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv_VK90jPEj7xFdRWp2VjpL28TBRIuv32HJBgi5Je259urQm-eihItIGG3tmsXRkBN6GZhDzlLXIVbg5vZ2V2Vnc_j9vR-BNeuYklhs0vWS5Z7x7DnjKY7gF5z4-G1hHiXjyjMuptHTCY/s1600/who-do-you-think-you-are-book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv_VK90jPEj7xFdRWp2VjpL28TBRIuv32HJBgi5Je259urQm-eihItIGG3tmsXRkBN6GZhDzlLXIVbg5vZ2V2Vnc_j9vR-BNeuYklhs0vWS5Z7x7DnjKY7gF5z4-G1hHiXjyjMuptHTCY/s320/who-do-you-think-you-are-book.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the best books I have read on finding our identity in Christ. Interspersed with real life stories, the author brought to life the passages of the epistle to the Ephesians. In today’s upside down world of brokenness, the importance to grasp our solid foundation in Christ cannot be taken for granted anymore. Many young people have lost their footing in Christianity and wavering about between what is the philosophy of the world and what is of the Bible. Peer pressures and the unreal world of entertainment have clouded the eyes from seeing what God sees in His sons and daughters. Mark Driscoll’s seriousness of wanting readers to stand upright in this broken world is permeated in every page of this book. The reading of this book must not be rushed. I hope this book can help Christians appreciate the Bible even more as they grasp the full meaning of who we really are in Christ. The title of the book also gets the attention of everyone, both believers and unbelievers. I urge everyone to get hold of this book and praise God for what He has given to us and done in us! I give this book five stars! </span> <br />
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<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you, Thomas Nelson's Publishers, for providing this ebook for the purpose of this review.</span></div>
THE BIBLE LOVERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12212981501597201986noreply@blogger.com0