tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199000802024-02-01T21:12:14.441-06:00Reflections!Memories of family life with spiritual truths!Emily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.comBlogger691125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-85971695904863027442020-09-17T15:20:00.002-05:002020-09-17T15:20:37.789-05:00"Have the Day God Planned!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TFZQ90UNyRxoSRvG4Mrb9vKRX65EyXr2OP7S00fQH3cXA7DU0-IX-h9WjBw6WBEL7mzD8rv4XpHfOJl2qZzZRvGciko0zePyuWhtcjgOK_shZm06TDrcKEveG-SSlwPrtn6Dwg/s533/9.15.2020ForIKnowthe-Plans.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TFZQ90UNyRxoSRvG4Mrb9vKRX65EyXr2OP7S00fQH3cXA7DU0-IX-h9WjBw6WBEL7mzD8rv4XpHfOJl2qZzZRvGciko0zePyuWhtcjgOK_shZm06TDrcKEveG-SSlwPrtn6Dwg/s320/9.15.2020ForIKnowthe-Plans.png" width="320" /></a></div> In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. </i>Genesis 1:1-2. And God's Story begins. He begins with no form and darkness and creates our world, our universe.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> God had a plan that is revealed in His Word. <i>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love, He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will. </i>Ephesians 1:3-5.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">He chose you and He chose me '<i>in the beginning'</i>. Why? He planned. First, He turned on the light of righteousness and separated it from the darkness and void. <i>And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness, He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. </i>Genesis 1:3-5.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The 'Weeping' Prophet, Jeremiah, living between 650 to 570 BC, was given God's Words to tell God's people. "<i>Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5. </i>And Jeremiah delivered God's messages to His people, including these, as the people were held captive in Babylon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. </i>Jeremiah 29:11-13.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Why did God create the universe? Why did He create man? Why is He faithful and just? Why is His provision for us abundant in many ways?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Why does He love us so? <i>In that day you will ask in My Name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father, Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God. </i>John 16:26-27.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One day, while writing an email, I signed with the words, Blessed Day. That was the day I learned to say, "<i>Have the Day God Planned</i>!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We plan many things in our lives and feel out of sorts when our plans don't work out. I found two scriptures that tell me why. <i>The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. </i>Proverbs 16:9.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. </i>Proverbs 19:20-21. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which way shall I go? <i>This God - His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.</i> Psalm 18:30.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span> Do we have time in our brief life to travel the wrong way, seeking after things that soon become useless and unneeded? Do we have the right directions to follow the One who loves us and knows the way? Our God created us in His image and created the Heavens and the Earth. We want all kinds of assurances in buying a car or a house. What about the future of our souls?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. </i>Isaiah 55:8-9.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." </i>Matthew 6:25-26, 33-34.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Planning our day with God, we put on the whole Armor of God. <i>Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. </i>Ephesians 6:10-11, 13-18.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Comments? eacombs@att.net</span></div>Emily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-28425215817243741642020-09-09T13:35:00.001-05:002020-09-09T13:35:24.284-05:00Not Yet!<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-w7OmyzGsOZsqdmwzHPakeq8vMTDsoOZOu1qOF1pPZkOf6swNJUfutIkrcbjuXbZoGbDxvkz_HEyjBJ7US2ounVqx6VZdUgMz8e12MzFVBKXS-ull6v98XMWKcoIK_A4eJDs3Rg/s504/9.8.2020NotYet.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-w7OmyzGsOZsqdmwzHPakeq8vMTDsoOZOu1qOF1pPZkOf6swNJUfutIkrcbjuXbZoGbDxvkz_HEyjBJ7US2ounVqx6VZdUgMz8e12MzFVBKXS-ull6v98XMWKcoIK_A4eJDs3Rg/s320/9.8.2020NotYet.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> I looked at the hands of the clock, and whispered, “Not yet!” Sighing, I turned the page of the piano book and began practicing on the next assigned song. Would the required hour of practice ever be finished? At eight years old, an hour seemed forever.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Three years later, I listened to the math teacher intone the expected assignment. “Please do all the problems on page sixty-six.” I looked at the 30 problems, and wondered, “Why?” It would take forever to finish. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Then years later, as I tended my Mother in her last illness. One day she told me her dream. “I went up the tall mountain, and looking down, I saw the sea of glass shining. I wanted to go see it closer, and then I heard a voice say, ‘Go back down, it isn’t time, Not Yet.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> A lifetime of desires, and each time, I am told, ‘Not Yet’. All the ‘not yets’ will disappear when we no longer wait. In God’s time, all the waiting will end. Assurance is ours on the <i>art of waiting</i> for what will be. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. </i>I Peter 1:3b-7.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> This promise is secure when we learn to trust Him, in the learnings through the years. Little did I know that all those hours of practicing piano would be a gift of a way to praise the Lord. Little did I know that learning math would one day give me a tool to teach math effectively to boys and girls. Listening to Mother’s dream helped me search the scripture and found this:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. </i>Revelations 15:2.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> In a dream, Mom received the message of ‘Not Yet’. Through this conversation about her dream, God gave me the gift of knowing her desire to be with the Lord to receive her inheritance kept in Heaven for her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> When we know where our inheritance is kept ready for us, our faith in ‘what is’ turns to ‘what is God teaching me?’ Behind every heartache, trial, or not yet, is a ‘becoming’. Not every test comes from going to school, but it is a test of our faith in Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> We desire Love, Joy, and Peace. All three are necessary to sleep well and have good health. How is that possible? Love is a command that energizes the heart, the soul, and the mind. It is a relationship with others built on the teaching of Jesus who healed, gathered, and forgave. When we learn to love like Jesus, we will find Joy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> The joy of the Lord is our strength. <i>Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the Lord,<br /> who delights in the welfare of His servant!” </i> Psalm 35:27.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Peace is ours through Jesus Christ. <i>Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. </i>John 14:27.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord, See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it until it receives the early and the late rains.” </i>James 5:7<i>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i>Waiting is not sitting idly by, doing nothing. It is loving and helping others; it is trusting the Lord and learning to know our Lord. John Heywood wrote poems and he wrote this quote. <i>Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every day</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> It takes a lifetime of ‘laying bricks’ of loving others, finding joy in the Lord, and finding peace by filling our heart with His truth to make us ready for the home He has prepared for us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord, is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. </i>James 5:8-11.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Next time you wait for a chocolate cake to finish baking and fruit to ripen, remember that it is its time will come. When you wait for the snow to melt or the leaves to turn autumns colors find something a way to bring Joy to someone today.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">God has given each one of us a purpose in life, a reason to live.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> How much does God love us?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.<br /> Oh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine<br /> And I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away<br /> Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"> (Culver/Asbury/Jackson)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div>Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-9734624881644975242020-09-02T11:19:00.000-05:002020-09-02T11:19:19.205-05:00Mother's Words<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYdltBJiXDs2G5Q4GKSBOafsMbL4XcDenBwvPf_2JFhZjpW4uzcz46JTgBCDM3sdADFD8ebP6FjKvM8fp9op1GczXMsq_SJVp_oRlf2CiwksDuXYWoMSrRo4wwr2J1hyphenhyphenrFqio3w/s533/9.1.2020MothersWordsb..png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYdltBJiXDs2G5Q4GKSBOafsMbL4XcDenBwvPf_2JFhZjpW4uzcz46JTgBCDM3sdADFD8ebP6FjKvM8fp9op1GczXMsq_SJVp_oRlf2CiwksDuXYWoMSrRo4wwr2J1hyphenhyphenrFqio3w/s0/9.1.2020MothersWordsb..png" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Going through another day, I still recall many thoughts and ideas my Mother implanted in my mind and heart. I wonder just how long those words and thoughts I remember will continue. They have lasted 91 years now.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> We had several conversations when I came home from college, but this one is precious to me. The evening began to turn dark, and we sat together on the steps at the back door. “Let’s wait until we see the Evening Star!” Then she told me of kneeling at her bedroom window watching the stars appearing in the sky. The first star she saw, The Evening Star, is the one she told all her secrets and dreams to as she grew up. Her confidante listened and twinkled as she told her tale. </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> After my husband died, I remembered. Now, I often go to the kitchen window and peer out at the star-studded velvet sky, and praise God for the joy the stars give me. If it is cloudy, I smile and tell God I know the stars are still shining.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> My two brothers and I often picked at each other and argued. Once Mother came outside and asked why we had to fight since she loved all of us. As I grew older, I wondered what God thinks of His people He created fighting, when He loves all of us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Mother had many activities and talents. As a child, she found an autoharp in the attic. My grandmother found her there, with sweat dripping down her face as she had learned to play a melody. Her love, fostered by her tenor-singing Dad who directed the church choir, followed her all her days. She learned to play the piano so she could accompany her Dad as he directed the choir. She loved baking bread, making meals, sewing, often without a pattern, crocheting, tatting, and gardening. She engaged my brothers in the canning process, and the results were jars of vegetables and fruit in the Siemens Cellar. (Gene painted the name on the ledge above the stairs at the entrance with brown shoe polish). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> She raised flowers, spending much time watering and weeding, so she would have something to give to the ‘older people’ until she was in her 80’s. One day I asked why she loved flowers so much. Her response stopped me short. “Because God created them.” Then I began to study the intricate design of flowers and the many-colored smiles of flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> One day I walked into the kitchen, the sink was piled high with dishes, and my chore to wash them. Mom stirred something on the stove. I turned on the light. Mother commented, “You love the light, don’t you?” Then I read this verse: <i>Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” </i>John 8:12.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Mother liked for me to do the dishes her way, and at seventeen, I rebelled, and said, “When I leave, I will do them MY way.” After Ed and I were married for almost 2 years, I stood at the kitchen sink and remembered my words. Then I noticed, I washed the dishes Mom’s way. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> One New Year’s Eve, I came home from the youth church party at almost midnight. Mother sat alone in the living room with the Bible in her lap. When I asked why she was up. “I am trying to find a Bible verse to live by in the next new year!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> When we were in the elementary school age, Mother had us memorize Bible verses. I learned my brother Jim’s memory verse just listening to him. <i>For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.</i> Matthew 6:21. Then I learned mine, and still know Psalm 121:1-2 - <i>I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> At some point, Mother must have noticed my affinity for pride. One evening Mother and I played a piano duet for the prelude for the evening service. Afterward, I slipped on the 3 steps coming down the platform and fell with a loud splat. As I slinked to the front pew, I kept repeating part of Proverbs 16:18… “Pride goeth before a fall…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Mother taught piano lessons, beginning with me. Then she began writing poetry, articles, and stories, plus Scripture songs of 42 Scriptures. She self- published three books of poetry. The last one, she wanted to illustrate and took art classes while in her 70’s. Another book she wrote is the story of her family, <i>The Lines Are Fallen</i>. My daughter Anna recently republished Mother’s book. She hopes to re-publish the poem book: <i>Life: Full Measure…Running Over</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Mother also played for weddings and funerals, and for church services.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> When my Dad endured a heart attack and lay in the hospital. Mother announced to me, I am going home to sleep awhile. Astonished, I asked her how she could. Her answer? <i>In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. </i>Psalm 4:8.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i>Mother taught me songs to sing, <i>I’m a Pilgrim, and I’m a Stranger</i>, <i>I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked, Jesu, Bambino, </i>and my favorite<i>, Goin’ Home</i>. My granddaughter, Jenny, sang this song for my husband’s funeral. <i>Goin’ home, I’m a goin’ home. Quiet like, some still day, I’m just goin’ home…</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One poem she wrote contains </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Garden Serenity</i><span style="font-family: arial;">: </span><i style="font-family: arial;">I cannot rightly call it toil, When sprigs are planted into the soil; Although I water, mulch, and hoe, God’s elements will make them grow. </i><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>The plants, the sun, and even weeds fulfill my very basic needs; For when I kneel upon the sod, I have such lovely talks with God</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> After my father died, Mother taught me one more thing. How to grieve. My sister-in-law Barbara and I bought her a spiral notebook. In it, she wrote </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i style="text-align: left;">Dear Papa</i><span style="text-align: left;"> letters about her days. When I visited her, I read the Papa journal and knew how she missed him. We also bought a copy of the painting of The Guardian Angel to hang in her bedroom that she enjoyed as a child. An angel guarding two children crossing a bridge. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Mother contracted Pulmonary Fibrosis, and she declared this to be her Exit Lane. She told me she wasn’t afraid to die; it was the process of pain she did not like. Her </span><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Exit/Entrance</i><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> poem ends, “</span><i style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Though things of earth may disappear, I will not fear that final breath to walk through death.”</i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i>Thank you, Mother, for all the things you taught me! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-64093999357730094952020-08-26T14:01:00.003-05:002020-08-26T14:01:50.661-05:00Welcome, Home! <div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1heK9fN0sCf8lhWNlEPzkcxaW1VyxYRFG4nRrhF7Oop-MYSjA9c7mVzba68ZVM9d9r5lXv0J7zZDnfcEKK6TEMj5onecFnKoFGHV_L3bGkaiLKG5_S2Ilnel4gn18573NEDKQbw/s533/8.25.2020Welcome%252CHome.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1heK9fN0sCf8lhWNlEPzkcxaW1VyxYRFG4nRrhF7Oop-MYSjA9c7mVzba68ZVM9d9r5lXv0J7zZDnfcEKK6TEMj5onecFnKoFGHV_L3bGkaiLKG5_S2Ilnel4gn18573NEDKQbw/s0/8.25.2020Welcome%252CHome.png" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> The first six years of my life, I took home for granted. One day, Dad and Mom moved, and then I had to walk home. That was the day I realized how much home meant to me. It wasn’t the house we lived in; it was Dad and Mom’s welcoming hugs and constant love.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> We moved again when I became sixteen. A new school with new teachers, making new friends and a new church.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> It didn’t seem difficult at all, just different. Then the fall of 1947, I went to college. I would travel by bus home. Because of financial restraints, I couldn’t go home for six weeks. As one of my sons told me much later. “Being away from home means wondering what is going on at home.” And I wondered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Marriage in 1952, brought a new meaning to <i>Welcome, Home</i>! Especially when our four children were born. Dad and Mom enjoyed visits with our four little ones. We so enjoyed their laughter and joy when we announced a trip to go see Grandpa and Grandma’s house.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> One time we visited, my Dad and I took a walk. He seemed to walk slower. His heart weakened, and he was often ill. Each trip home, I wondered if it would be the last time would be the last time I would see him. Then he died.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> In 2012, I found myself packing to move again. My husband had Dementia and I packed our belongings to move to be near our son, Tim. All our children came to help from four different states. The sound of clear tape ripping, boxes being put together filled the house. I thought about the things we packed. I thought about the phrase, <i>you can’t take it with you</i>! Oh, the futility of packing things.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> I realized for my last move to Heaven; I need to fill my heart and mind with Jesus Christ. Then I remember John 14:3, <i>And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i> I pray for God to help me pack my heart with Prayer and Love for those who surround me, for I know when I unpack my Heart in Heaven will be a time of glory for me! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> As the Dementia took a deeper hold on my dear husband, we placed him in a Memory Care Facility. My days of Care Giving changed from Hands-On to Hearts-On. We listened to hymns; we held hands and read scripture. He lost his ability to see, feed himself, or walk. And in his constant state of confusion, I talked about to him about Heaven. Now I wonder if I prepared myself or him?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> We talked about Heaven where his mind would be clear, where he could walk through woods, his favorite place to be, and how he could see all of God’s beauty in the place prepared for him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> One day, as I sang <i>Jesus Loves Me</i>, I thought about the lyrics. Surely this song is just for children! I realized then the words spoke to me, at nearly 90 years old. The strength, faith, love, and trust touched me<i>. Jesus loves me, this I know, For the Bible tells me so, Little ones to Him belong, They are weak, but He is strong.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> We often talk about the reality on earth, when the truth is, the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ is our true reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> But, as it is written, “<i>What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him”, these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit</i>. I Corinthians 2: 9-10.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> There is one more reunion and one more ‘Welcome, Home’ that will come. Jesus tells about this in a parable in Matthew 25. The Master of the home went on a journey and gave his property to his servants and left for a time. When he returned, he checked with his servants and found which had used the talents wisely and brought more. To these servants, He said, ‘<i>Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span> </span>And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” </i>Revelation 21:3-4.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>More about our coming Reality in Heaven:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. </i>Revelations 21:1-2<i>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> And He carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates, the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. </i>Revelations 21:10-13.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.” </i>Isaiah 65:17-19.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> </i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-52237253420964673202020-08-19T11:38:00.001-05:002020-08-19T11:38:32.730-05:00God of Endurance and Harmony<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 13pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QORGm0_xCjuQAJXGGNoxq8gX2tcC8t4Pwcc312Zx1RjezwWO6rNakjSlv_od5dBtlf0XQK4rmHglOOsDfplmYVsDNp_PFRmWVqrk-jO-byi8i0xqdsyHNV390xjmJnON9AkBGw/s504/8.18.20God-of-Endurance2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QORGm0_xCjuQAJXGGNoxq8gX2tcC8t4Pwcc312Zx1RjezwWO6rNakjSlv_od5dBtlf0XQK4rmHglOOsDfplmYVsDNp_PFRmWVqrk-jO-byi8i0xqdsyHNV390xjmJnON9AkBGw/s0/8.18.20God-of-Endurance2.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">In this life, storms come and go. It is easy to lose hope and endurance to live. Often, we find ourselves in a world that does not encourage life. We lose the will to continue on because of the rocky soil, the weeds that try to choke us. And even the sustenance of water is lacking. How can we continue? This verse brings me hope.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. </i>Romans 15:5.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What can keep us going, and then I hear these words, <i>but none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night? ‘</i> Job 35:10.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. </i> Psalm 16:11. God’s presence is with us every moment, and He gives us songs in the night.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Paul and Silas sang songs in the night. <i>About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. </i>Acts 16:25. Then came the earthquake and the cell doors opened. The jailer, fearing for his life, checked, and then believed in God. Others hear our songs of Joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.</i> James 1:17.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> The essence of God is Love, and because of His great Love, He gives us gifts. The first gift is He breathed his breath into the bodies He creates. We have a physical side and a spiritual side. He gives gifts of contentment, peace, joy, and rest. And with these gifts, we are commanded to love others by being patient, kind, good, gentle, faithful, and showing self-control. These spiritual gifts come because of His love for us and only when we live for Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> An out of tune instrument is difficult to hear, and an in-tune instrument brings joy because of the harmony it creates. This is true of a group of people who live together in the same area when they are spiritually out of tune.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> What causes disharmony among people? There are no ‘out-of-tune’ people when they follow instruction in God’s Word<i>. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.</i> Colossians 3:12-15<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Forgiveness is on the other side of the Coin of Love. Love with forgiveness is what brings everything together in perfect harmony. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Only God can bring about harmony that brings peace. He is One with His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Their One-ness brings joy to our hearts. Jesus taught<i>, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” </i>John 17:20-23.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> How can we ‘endure’ from day to day? First of all, is knowing we are not alone. Father God and Jesus walk with us. The Holy Spirit lives within us. Second<i>, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you</i>. I Thessalonians 5:17-18.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Third<i>, Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. </i>Philippians 4:4.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> The promises are real! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. </i>Romans 5:1-5<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> But what do I do when a storm comes? Remember this: <i>Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. </i>James 1:2-4.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> But no one notices, and I feel all alone! Even as Paul and Silas were heard in the jail and when we trust God and constantly think on His Word, these verses come to me. I think of a huge stadium filled with witnesses watching and cheering us on. We are never alone!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. </i> Hebrews 12:1-2.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! </i>Revelations 22:20.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-15675406747045991412020-08-12T10:41:00.001-05:002020-08-16T11:56:21.735-05:00Peace, I Leave With You...<div class="separator"><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12.5pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkahGpxPZDu6XbULTchUWH-p_SXrTWK52w1Dr1VLrAuXOYDhQto7EFg5yZKx3PAXh6PLoATyZWLXOxnJ03OJ98l1boAwgEBU96zetk2AzvoBsHzuNQwJtHkvIGW7_z1leLopGZqg/s432/8.11.2020PeaceILeaveWithYou.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkahGpxPZDu6XbULTchUWH-p_SXrTWK52w1Dr1VLrAuXOYDhQto7EFg5yZKx3PAXh6PLoATyZWLXOxnJ03OJ98l1boAwgEBU96zetk2AzvoBsHzuNQwJtHkvIGW7_z1leLopGZqg/s0/8.11.2020PeaceILeaveWithYou.png" /></a></div><span style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27</i></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span>Jesus prepared to leave his disciples, and after giving a gift for all… the gift of peace that comes from being forgiven. How we long for peace in this world when bills go unpaid, when someone is angry with us, when we face and endure the separation death brings or an illness that seems to last beyond its time.</div></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> In moments of anxiety, who do we turn to? When we are persecuted or threatened in anger, where do we go? Where did Jesus go, before He is crowned with thorns and crucified? <i>And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray</i>.” Mark 14:32.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> How did Jesus pray? <i>And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will</i>.” Mark 14:36. Even his prayer teaches us: “<i>Yet not what I will, but what You will</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Before Jesus came to earth, the Children of Israel were commanded to sacrifice peace offerings. <i>The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever offers the sacrifice of his peace offerings to the Lord shall bring his offering to the Lord from the sacrifice of his peace offerings. His own hands shall bring the Lord’s food offerings. He shall bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be waved as a wave offering before the Lord. The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be for Aaron and his sons. And the right thigh you shall give to the priest as a contribution from the sacrifice of your peace offerings.”</i> Leviticus 7:29:32.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> God required sacrifices for various reasons, and these were pleasing to God. Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins in the new covenant with God. How do we know how to please God? Knowing Who God is, if we follow Him, we will know our lives are to be lived according to what God wills, not what we want. God is the Ruler of His Kingdom. <i>And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him, and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”</i> Matthew 3:16-17.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> God gave The Ten Commandments to the Israelites, and in the New Testament Jesus taught just two commandments we are to obey. “<i>You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.</i>” Matthew 22:37-38. What is love?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.</i> I Corinthians 13:4-8a.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Jesus taught on the sermon on the Mountain. Beginning with ‘Blessed’. He pronounced the various conditions of followers of God and their promises in Matthew 5:2-11. Poor in Spirit, Mourn, Meek, Hunger for righteousness, Merciful, Pure in Heart, Peacemakers, those persecuted for Righteousness’s sake, and being Persecuted for the sake of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> “<i>If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” </i>John 14:15-16.<i> </i>This Helper is the Holy Spirit, who brings the fruit in our lives against which there is no law. <i> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.</i>” Galatians 5:22-23a. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> When anxiety threatens to grip me with unknown terrors, I turn to His Word, and know that The Lord God who created Heaven and Earth, placed the stars in the heavens, and sent Jesus to be my sacrifice and read verses like these:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i> “Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?</i>” Matthew 6:25-27. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>And this chapter ends with these two verses - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.</i> Matthew 6: 33-34.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.</i> Philippians 4:7-8.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i>Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. </i> Philippians 4:4-7<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> “<i>These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. </i> John 14:25-28.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span><i><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Love and Joy and
Peace is God's blessing to us.</span></b></i></p><span style="font-family: arial;">
And we show faithfulness, patience, kindness,
goodness, gentleness, and self-control when we revel
in God's blessing</span><span style="font-family: arial;">s to us.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Comments? eacombs@att.net</span>Emily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-18715400530345758292020-08-05T10:28:00.004-05:002020-08-05T10:28:59.067-05:00Washed by the Word of God!<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><font face="arial"><span> </span></font></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><font face="arial"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv_NQU6C17P1dfoq8rKjSx94GB9Gii258OK4Ic8gwPEUDNuAzTVZ3IhZHYgjqaahFa-thD-_dfHwYDNXuIKtS7g3ecWVW7EGXRp-jZ580kkfemQ8FJJ278FBJrGP-m9GR28WUbQ/s533/8.4.2020.WashedbytheWordofGod.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="533" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv_NQU6C17P1dfoq8rKjSx94GB9Gii258OK4Ic8gwPEUDNuAzTVZ3IhZHYgjqaahFa-thD-_dfHwYDNXuIKtS7g3ecWVW7EGXRp-jZ580kkfemQ8FJJ278FBJrGP-m9GR28WUbQ/w426-h342/8.4.2020.WashedbytheWordofGod.png" width="426" /></a></font></i></div><i><font face="arial"> <span> </span>Washed by the Word of God! <o:p></o:p></font></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial">Then from the past, I hear Mother’s voice, “Wash your hands, it is time to set the table for supper.” No matter what I am doing or trying to accomplish, I obeyed. Before I could set the table, I had to be clean.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> We wash our hands when they become stained with dirt. This is a symbol of becoming clean before serving.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> And Moses said to the congregation, <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial">“<i>This is the thing that the Lord has commanded to be done.”</i> And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. Leviticus 8:5-6. Aaron and his sons became priests serving the Lord.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> Our Lord God used water to cleanse the earth of evil in the days of Noah. He lives righteously in that day. Noah, at six hundred years, built an ark with his sons. Why? God redeems the righteous ones who obey His commands and live righteously. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> John the Baptist came to tell about the coming of Jesus and explains, “<i>I have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”</i> Mark 1:8. This baptism is for the repentance of sins. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> Jesus came to John to be baptized. <i>And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”</i> Matthew 3:16-17.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> At the last supper Jesus washed the feet of his disciples saying, <i>If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.</i> John 13: 8b. Again, washing of feet is a way of serving one another. And why serve one another?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> <i>And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.</i> Colossians 3:14-15, 17.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> Yes, we serve others, because we love Jesus, and everything we do is in His Name. But what if there is a drought? No water! How can we be clean? Again, I return to the worst kind of famine. When the Word of God is not available to wash the sin from our lives or give us Hope, we find it difficult to praise God.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> Listening to missionaries who were imprisoned without the Word of God or enough to eat, what did they do? One man saved enough bread from one meal to celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the Lord’s Day with a sip of water. Another group shared how to make their favorite dishes to enjoy ‘when they were released’.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> When Paul and Silas were imprisoned and had their feet in stocks, what did they do? <i>About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.</i> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> During a famine of the Word of God, the more we have memorized and the more hymns we know, we can still testify about our Lord and rejoice in Him. Someone is always listening and watching how we respond to each upset in our lives.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> Being washed with the Word is reading, meditating, and obeying God’s commands. Why? <i>Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body</i>. I Corinthians 6:9-20.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> What verses in the Bible will wash us clean when we obey them? What verses will transform us?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> <i>I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.</i> Romans 12:1-3.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> <i>Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant</i>, <i>not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.</i> 2 Corinthians 3:4-6.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="arial"><i>Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image </i>from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> <i>Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.</i> Philippians 3:13-14.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> <i>But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.</i> Philippians 3: 20-21.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> How do we have the strength to do live His Way? “<i>If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.” </i> John 14: 15-17a. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><font face="arial"> </font><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div>Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-19583659525601805592020-07-29T11:08:00.001-05:002020-07-29T11:08:13.051-05:00The Sweep of Life!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The sweep of our lives from birth to death holds many experiences that transform our lives and our thinking as we move along. It is not until we learn to read that our understanding begins that our lives are not happen-chance. Our lives have a purpose as planned before God created the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. </i> Ephesians 1:3-4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Did we know God chose us then? Did we know God was there when we were conceived? <i>For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. </i>Psalm 139:13-14.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> From the moment we learned our first prayer, and heard Bible stories from the Bible, we understood what Our Lord God IS to us. When I was four years old, I looked out the window as the rain came down, and I wanted to play outside. My Mother asked me, why didn’t I pray and ask God? I prayed, and the rain stopped. That began my learning about the God Who answers prayer. My Dad, a gifted storyteller, told my brothers and me Bible stories when we were young. I learned about this El Shaddai, Almighty God who is ‘all-sufficient’ and ‘all-bountiful’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It was much later I understood the beauty and wonder of a Lord God who sings over me. <i>The Lord your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save;</i> <i>He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love;</i> <i>He will exult over you with loud singing.</i> Zephaniah 3:17.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Now, understanding more clearly what His Presence means, developing a daily relationship with Him, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. <i>In love, He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. </i>Ephesians 1:5-6. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Obedience, Humility, and Love become the means to desiring holy living. <i>You are my friends if you do what I command you. </i>John 15:14. How do we please the Son of God? <i>And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him. And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us. Whoever keeps His commandments abides in God, and God in Him. And by this, we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. </i> I John 5:22-24.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Many years ago, Mother taught me the old song, <i>Goin’ Home! </i>This song came to mean a lot to me, The Sampler, Home Sweet Home, could be Home, Sweet Heaven. <i>Goin’ home, Goin’ home, I’m a goin’ home. Quiet like, some still day, I’m just going’ home. It’s not far, just close by, Through an open door. Work all done, care laid by, Goin’ to grieve no more. Mother’s there, ‘spectin’ me, Father’s waitin’ too. </i>William Fisher<i>.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” </i>John 14:1-3. This Jesus promised as well. <i>Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. </i>John 14:27. Is it any wonder that I praise Him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When we are finally with the Lord, what a reunion it will be! Mother, suffering from Pulmonary Fibrosis, could not attend the family reunion. Her nephew and niece came to visit to take a video of her to share at the reunion. Mother prepared with questions her siblings and cousins could answer for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>1. Did you learn anything in particular from our Grandparents?</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>2. What do you remember about Mana’s use of psychology? I remember Mama asking Eli if he wanted to sweep the sidewalk or wash the dishes.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>3. What was your favorite food Mama cooked? I loved Mama’s pure cream pie.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>4. What are the smells about the storm cellar you remember where foods were kept?</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>5. What part of your heritage do you appreciate the most?</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. We are getting older and think more about eternal things. No staying true to Him is a detour in our Christian walk. What do you want to hand over to your great-grandchildren?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b>The last question became a deep desire for me. The part of my heritage I appreciate most is the faithfulness to the Lord of my Grandparents and parents. Generation to Generation His love endures and grows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a temporary world we live in, and God’s love is forever. On the Lord’s Day, the praise team sang the lyrics to ‘Reckless Love!” And I wonder, in this time, do I love like Jesus loved, forgiving as I go. Jesus doesn’t call us to anger, hate, and grudges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. </i>Ephesians 4:23-24.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. </span></i><span style="background: white;">I Corinthians 13:13.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me<br /> You have been so, so good to me<br /> Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me<br /> You have been so, so kind to me<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #222222;"> Reckless Love Lyrics – </span></i><span style="color: #222222;">Culver, Asbury, Jackson -Bethel Music Publishing<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-79547000959959183782020-07-22T15:21:00.000-05:002020-07-22T15:21:13.193-05:00What is Prayer?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Prayer is like the bud of a flower holding the mystery of the beauty and maturity of a blessed relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Prayer is more than a list of concerns; it is the beginning of humility and trust in the Lord God, the Creator of the Universe. Prayer recognizes the Awe of our Lord, our God as Our Father in Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.</i> Zechariah 2:3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We will not pray our adoration and praise to God until we realize our weakness and frailty in this life. We often are at a loss for what to pray and how to pray and the words cannot convey our deep longings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is in the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.</i> Romans 8:26-27.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A young boy went outside on the prairie of Kansas to fly his new kite. He learned much more than joy in flying a kite. Disappointed in the still day, with no wind, he prayed to God for wind so he could enjoy his kite. Not even a light breeze tugged at his shirt. He prayed again, “Dear God if you won’t send wind so I can fly my kite, I will never pray again.” He was shocked at the silence and the feeling of being lost and alone. He learned that day what life would be without our Father in Heaven. He quickly prayed again. Still, no wind came. Yet, he rejoiced, for he knew God became His Savior once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Praying is learning to depend and trust in our Lord God and not on ourselves. God is the ultimate authority on earth and Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him, we have set our hope that He will deliver us again.</i> 2 Corinthians 1:9-10.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”</i> Galatians 3:12.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> How and when should we pray? <i>Rejoice always pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.</i> I Thessalonians 5:16-18.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As a child, it seemed impossible to pray without ceasing. When there isn’t time to go into a closet, to kneel, to fold our hands, close our eyes, to pray. I have learned that when we know from Psalm 1; <i>We meditate day and night.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.</i> Psalm 1:1-3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When our heart is constantly thinking about the Word of God, we will hunger and thirst for more. Praying becomes a relationship with our Lord. The deeper it grows, the more we see His purposes and the beauty for us in His Abiding Love. Jesus taught His Disciples to pray…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<i>Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil</i>.” Matthew 6:9-13.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> How shall I pray? What is my desire in life? To be like Jesus, my Savior. <i>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.</i> Galatians 5:22-23.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Awareness of all these attributes, the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, is a part of the whole and can be the basis for prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sunday. </b>Spiritual Revelation -<b>L</b>ove, <b>J</b>oy, <b>P</b>eace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b>“<i>You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. <b> </b>This is the great and first commandment. <b> </b>And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”</i> Matthew 22:37-39.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Monday. </b> Guidance from the Holy Spirit - <b>P</b>atience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b><i>But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.</i> John 14:26.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday. </b>Desire to live a holy life - <b>K</b>indness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b> </b><i>Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord</i>. Hebrews 12:14.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday. </b> Pray for favor in serving people - <b>G</b>oodness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b><i>But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according</i> <i>to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit</i>. Titus 3:4-5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thursday. </b> Unity in relationships - <b>F</b>aithfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b><i>The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.</i> Lamentations 3:22.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Friday. </b> Sharing the Love of Jesus<b> - G</b>entleness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b><i>Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness</i>. I Timothy 6:11b.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Saturday. </b>Family – <b>S</b>elf-Control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. </i> I Peter 4:7.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Adapted from Becoming a Prayer Warrior by Elizabeth Alves.)</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-7170133509587965292020-07-15T16:46:00.001-05:002020-07-15T16:46:22.581-05:00Communication & Relationships<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwZEw8D5JgxDpNvZXzq-vJ_RGSMpJx-ytWFrEya3F3zqf0L9YfZHEWP3F-lW91zKFcvctp-lV75R9Tvf1HFdjxnFq6WWyXBc7mQW0ovw26ArVBg22SYKLrT04e1AUiQJlay5SFg/s1600/7.14.20CommunicationRelationship.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="504" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwZEw8D5JgxDpNvZXzq-vJ_RGSMpJx-ytWFrEya3F3zqf0L9YfZHEWP3F-lW91zKFcvctp-lV75R9Tvf1HFdjxnFq6WWyXBc7mQW0ovw26ArVBg22SYKLrT04e1AUiQJlay5SFg/s320/7.14.20CommunicationRelationship.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The morning when I woke up and turned on the computer, it didn’t respond, I panicked. Disaster! Everything said to re-boot, but I struggled and tried to reach my Computer Person (my son), by email. It didn’t go. I wrote a text on the computer, the message ‘undeliverable’ came on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My phone is connected to the internet, I listened and breathed a sigh of relief when I heard a dial tone. I called. Since my son, Tim, is in great demand for IT work, I heard his voice say, “Unavailable!” Then I called his wife. By then two hours had passed. My usual morning emails were not sent. Soon Tim drove up, and with his calm, assured manner, he reconnected the computer to the internet within fifteen minutes. Then I could begin writing while praising God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As I wrote, I pondered. I have learned God often teaches me lessons along the way to share. I reviewed how hopeless I felt, not being able to communicate. I realized, without communication, there is no relationship. With this sheltering in place, visits are rare. The masks muffle the words, hindering communication. And we lose the sweet friendship with others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The alone-ness and lost feeling intensified during the two hours, trying to reach someone. Later, as I reviewed my experience, I found these verses:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! Psalm 4:1.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.</i> Psalm 17:6-7.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The ultimate aloneness is the inability to read the scriptures and know His presence for there is no Bible. When I read the book, <i>Heavenly Man</i> (Brother Yun, and Paul Hathaway), during a 3-day power outage, I realized how real God’s Love is and how vibrant and alive His Word is. I read by flashlight and shivered as the furnace during the ice storm did not function. Then I understood the real hunger we have for God’s Presence around us and to be connected with Him who saves us and Our Friend who loves us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We are defined from the spirit outward by our connection to God the Father, and Jesus, the Son of God. We are connected or not connected, Either yay or nay. His light shines from within us, or it does not. Just as a computer is connected or not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We often need a ‘reboot’ to re-connect to our Father in Heaven. <i>To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.</i> Ephesians 4:22-24.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We like to look forward to comforts and rewards in this world. It is when we rather look forward to being renewed and put on our new self, seeking righteousness and holiness, we can find true Joy in the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.</i> 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> What are the things unseen? They are the things we live by in our inner being. When we follow Jesus and His teaching, the fruit of the Holy Spirit gives us, <i>Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control</i>. (Galatians 5:22-23). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied</i>.” Matthew 5:6. These words of Jesus remind us of the desire to live a holy life for Him. Oh, the wonders of the creation we see around us and we realize the immensity of the creation, He spoke into being, the words of Jesus mean truth and life to us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Are you satisfied now? Do you know the difference between the Light and the Darkness? In the ‘darkness’ we stumble and fall. The Light provides our way. <i>Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”</i> John 8:12.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.</i> Ephesians 5:8b-10.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Light defines who we are in this world. And whose we are. We long to belong. When we belong to the Creator of the World, we belong, not just for the moment, but for eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Communication with others is important but seeking God in prayer is vital. Does prayer really make a difference? Jesus prayed because He desired to be obedient to, united with, and empowered by His father. Prayer empowers us to produce the fruit of His Spirit in our lives. Prayer becomes our ministry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “<i>Prayer is a love response to the burdens of others</i>.” From <i>Becoming a Prayer Warrior</i> by Elizabeth Alves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.</i> Matthew 6:33-34.</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-44032290525832908502020-07-08T10:04:00.002-05:002020-07-08T10:04:32.423-05:00Our God Sustains!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkEt1bkVVDTmCPguFGJ4b0rtuw1Z7RZng_OBOEL0VXrDqaXqsyZA2Kt3Ke4a_TkJR50JNe_6SoBXCZB-BCAw2HOw3fQAS2UdEKg-AhFYmsoZJqkkl525C_gNZY7MQ2CwS6z8VRg/s1600/7.7.2020OurGodSustains.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="576" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkEt1bkVVDTmCPguFGJ4b0rtuw1Z7RZng_OBOEL0VXrDqaXqsyZA2Kt3Ke4a_TkJR50JNe_6SoBXCZB-BCAw2HOw3fQAS2UdEKg-AhFYmsoZJqkkl525C_gNZY7MQ2CwS6z8VRg/s320/7.7.2020OurGodSustains.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> What does the word, Sustain, mean? There is no expiration date on God’s understanding of sustaining His Creation from the world He created to all mankind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does the Sun say, “Not again!” when it rises. Or the stars grumble, “I think I will hide - no one will miss me! No one pays any attention.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When God sustains, He Restores, Nourishes, Provides, Comforts, Forgives and Saves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”</i> John 3:16. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This one verse declares the importance of God’s concern for sustaining us spiritually, physically, and emotionally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Physically God sustains our health and strength to do the good works He has prepared for us during the time we are here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. </i> Psalm 3:5-6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble, the Lord delivers him; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; He is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness, you restore him to full health.</i> Psalm 41:1-3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. 21 Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell</i>. Nehemiah 9:20-21.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Spiritually God sustains our spirit for an eternity to live with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.</i> Psalm 55:22.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; He awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.</i> Isaiah 50:4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.</i> I Corinthians 1:4-9.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>God is our Teacher. Thus, says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.”</i> Isaiah 48:17.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>God is Love. By sustaining us and sending His Son to save us, He teaches us to love. How do we know we have learned to love? Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.</i> I John 4:8.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When we believe we are alone, and no one cares, we cry out to the Lord for assurance. He assures us because He loves us. This teaches us to befriend the friendless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When we are loaded down with guilt for sinful actions and ugly words spoken in anger. He comforts us with forgiveness. We learn to forgive others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When a loved one dies and we cannot bear the hurt and sorrow, God comes to comfort us, He is teaching us to comfort others as they mourn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When we have nothing left to eat, God provides. And we learn to provide for others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> What do we do when we are at the end of our patience in a situation that is painful, physical or spiritual, or emotional? We can revel in tears and sorrow. Yet the ‘poor me’ attitude cannot last. There are distinct ways to dispel sorrow and loss. After Fifty Years of Marriage, my Dad passed away. My mother wrote a poem, <i>Walking Lanes</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>You left our old familiar lanes, One awe-filled summer day in June.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I heard the sigh of your last breath Before you walked away at noon.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, on unfamiliar lanes, I often stumble as I go,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I must brush the mist aside and speed my journey, which moves slow.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To keep my coming rendezvous on golden lanes with God and you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Anna Daisy Siemens<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Find Joy in the Lord and praising Him and His many gifts, has been my way of finding comfort and renewal in Him. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.</i> Psalm 34:18.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> While praising God for His many gifts, He freely gives our comfort and our joy. Then I read in His Word… Fear Not! I read about Apostle Paul while serving the Lord through all kinds of suffering, writes the ‘Rejoice!’ portion in Philippians, and I smile and say, Amen and Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Rejoice in the Lord always; again. I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</i> Philippians 4:4-7. </span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-32937022758572299642020-07-01T12:52:00.001-05:002020-07-01T12:52:12.606-05:00Thank You, Around the World!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvP6Z4iXsiW7DTla-YLhG6nYW1bEEHCKDTTorE8EX-JgzhUCd5AZntGF6XBy9qXnESU8nvJ6sxop7D5i_ap1iEN6W2ofi7CR5Sq6o0w_l49kR-AYPaQevbSC3Xej4b7wxwxA5mg/s1600/6.30.2020Thankyou.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvP6Z4iXsiW7DTla-YLhG6nYW1bEEHCKDTTorE8EX-JgzhUCd5AZntGF6XBy9qXnESU8nvJ6sxop7D5i_ap1iEN6W2ofi7CR5Sq6o0w_l49kR-AYPaQevbSC3Xej4b7wxwxA5mg/s320/6.30.2020Thankyou.png" width="292" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> No matter what language we speak, the intent is the same when we tell someone, “Thank You!” An authentic use of that phrase contains an intent of love and the facial expression is a smile.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When we didn’t even know what the words meant, my Dad taught us a prayer my two brothers and I repeated at mealtimes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>For all we eat,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> For all we wear,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> For all, we have everywhere,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I thank You, Father. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Now I realize that in this brief prayer we learned everything comes from our Father God. And the response is to acknowledge the gift with ‘thank you’. We learned that Jesus IS! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It takes a lifetime to learn the value and joy of all contained in these two words around the world, in so many languages. ‘Thank you!’ builds bridges between enemies and strengthens friendships while teaching God is Love! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The one day, set aside annually, to give Thanks cannot give thanks to our Lord for all He gives us each moment from the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God’s gifts begin with the six days of Creation and continue on. For God is the Beginning and the End. <i>“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” </i> Revelation 1:8.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Time is another factor in saying thank you. Or writing a thank you note or praising God. Recently a young man shared how God sustained him during a recent surgery. <i>The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness, you restore him to full health.</i> Psalm 41:3. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Scriptures are filled with encouragement and warnings. Why do we have God’s Word? <i>All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work</i>. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This Book is a gift from God. Have we considered Praising God for His insight, wisdom, and truth in His Word? Have we considered Praising God for the stories of faith lived out in the lives of countless men and women?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When we have the attitude of love, it includes gratitude in the heart that lives to love others, even as we are commanded to do. We love with a forgiving heart. When the disciples of Jesus saw Him pray to God, they asked Jesus to teach them to pray as John did. In Matthew 6:9-13.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “<i>Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Phrase by phrase, we understand God is our King, and we are not. He tells us our daily bread comes from Him, and our debts are not forgiven unless we forgive others. God does not tolerate evil. God has spoken, the earth will become His Kingdom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?</i> Psalm 8:3-4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.</i> Psalm 147:3-5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy</i>. Psalm 19:1-5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each flower, each tree praise God and the mountains rise to give praise, and I pray, <i>Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.</i> Psalm 19:14.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the years roll by, we remember giving our hearts to our Lord; we see the path our Lord guided us so that we could serve Him. We remember how we learned little by little and began to desire to sing praise to our Lord God for His Love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Sing praises to the Lord, O you His saints, and give thanks to His holy name, For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning</i>. Psalm 30:4-5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.</i> Psalm 57:8-10.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The lyrics of My Tribute, by Andraé Crouch, expresses my joy in the Lord:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>How can I say thanks, for the things You have done for me.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Things so undeserved, Yet You gave to prove Your love for me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The voices of a million angels, Could not express my gratitude,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> To God be the glory, For the things He has done.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Is the way we live a part of God’s story of faithfulness? Each day becomes a new chapter. From the tiny prayer we first prayed to the song, “<i>Jesus Loves Me</i>”, we write our story each day in Love and Praise to the One Who is Love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Another chorus that expresses our joy in the Lord:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul<br />Thank you, Lord, for making me whole<br />Thank you, Lord, for giving to me<br />Thy great salvation so rich and free</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-14898367363684825382020-06-24T10:11:00.000-05:002020-06-24T10:11:32.875-05:00Happy Father's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6V7umGrI_iH-cGnGz5BccMT6DIdnxvKFE9fR7zerYiooAKXf3N3g4lZHPc57C8W_L3eImC4_JjW6Y2P3n7QZtHm3eO128UEPE982_RJk1MaLEUmVcRWFjgRGO_Ac1OK4JsRtFg/s1600/6.23.2020HappyFather%2527sDay.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="576" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6V7umGrI_iH-cGnGz5BccMT6DIdnxvKFE9fR7zerYiooAKXf3N3g4lZHPc57C8W_L3eImC4_JjW6Y2P3n7QZtHm3eO128UEPE982_RJk1MaLEUmVcRWFjgRGO_Ac1OK4JsRtFg/s320/6.23.2020HappyFather%2527sDay.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Komm, Herr Jesu; sei du unser Gast; und segne, was du uns bescheret hast. </i> How many times did I join my brothers at the supper table and I would hear this prayer from my Dad before we ate? I remember waiting for the besheret, knowing when Dad prayed, <i>In Jesus’ Name, Amen</i>, we could eat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> With technology, I learned the translation: <i>Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest; And bless what you have bestowed</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In Rogers, Arkansas, I painted Dad’s Supper prayer on the cabinet door in the kitchen, and his presence in the prayer would continue in our lives. After he died in 1979, I missed my Dad fiercely. I wrote these words…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Who is my Father?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who holds my hand?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who helps me walk?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Who steadies my stand?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We children grew up knowing our Dad was outstanding. He loved us and he disciplined us. He never stopped teaching us, even as his father taught him. My Dad taught school, and he taught adolescent boys in Sunday School. He ‘practiced’ the lessons for us on Saturday evenings. We listened spell-bound to stories of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and always wanted more. He learned well from his Dad, Jacob Siemens V, who learned to preach holding his Bible, striding behind the barn on the farm in Oklahoma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> During the war, I saw pictures of children hiding from planes flying over. One night I went to bed and the four windows frightened me, I saw visions of enemy soldiers peering in. When I cried, it was my Dad who came. He held my hand, and we walked into the backyard and found nothing. Holding his hand gave me courage. It is God’s Word that teaches and I know God holds my heart and my hand. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>When I was a child<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daddy faced my fears with me,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter how dark the hour<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Daddy, the next step, I could see.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> God knew I didn’t truly understand the role of a father, and He sent my husband, the father of our children. God blessed us with sixty-six years of marriage and seeing our children become parents and teaching His Way to their little ones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>When I was growing, Daddy placed my heart in God’s care.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daddy’s example each day<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the future, he helped me to prepare.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The year, 1992, marks the year when our daughter-in-love, Karen, bought a book I treasure, <i>My Dad, Is Brilliant!</i> She sent it to each of our four children to add to each page. What a remembrance to read and re-read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dan wrote, <i>Of course, Dad is brilliant. He’s the one who bought the Knight Kit radio and showed us how to use it. He tolerated all the questions, kept the car running, and all the while using every opportunity to teach us things, even when we didn’t know we were learning.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Paul wrote, <i>And he can run like a cheetah. We played soccer behind the house on Market Street, Dad, Dan, and me. I remember the joy of running with my Dad and my brother, playing a game together. I thought to myself then, I’ll do this with my kids, too.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Tim wrote, <i>And he’s a marvelous cook. One time I was sick and stayed home from school. You came in with a butterscotch malt from town. We had minute steaks. It was the first time I remember you</i> <i>cooking. I was lonesome and really enjoyed just the two of us being together.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Anna wrote, <i>And he tells the funniest jokes in the world. There were always jokes running around our dinner table. I t was between Mom and me, who got it last. I learned God and Daddy aren’t afraid of laughter during prayer. Tim and I worried about what Dad would do. He rolled up a paper napkin and popped both of us on the head and said, “Behave!” Paper napkins don’t pop, they are soft like a feather, just like Dad’s love.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The day I saw my Daddy cry touched me deeply. It is the day I showed him the low grade on my report card in Math. Never, through all the years, had I seen my Daddy cry. I knew then I had hurt him deeply. I did not measure up to what he desired for me. My Dad continues to teach me as I remember that time and wonder if God weeps when we allow less than holy living to enter our lives. My Dad continues to teach me about our Father in Heaven. The last gift he gave me is a smile as he closed his eyes in death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Lord’s Prayer begins, Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. <i>Thy Kingdom come</i>. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven…. As our Father, He has a purpose for us - <i>You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.</i> Matthew 5:48. He desires for us to be on a mission of serving others, living for others. When we pray, <i>Our Father</i>, we declare our citizenship is in Heaven. <i>There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise</i>. Galatians 3:28-29.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Our Father in Heaven is a God of Love, and on this foundation, we live freely. There is hope, trust abounds, and we have an eternal inheritance through Jesus Christ. God, the Father, calls us home. Because of His love, and through His Love, we can ‘<i>love one another</i>.’ </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now God, my Father, Stands with me day by day. Daddy died many years ago, He’s home with my Heavenly Father, to stay.</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-23523739664058007722020-06-17T09:55:00.003-05:002020-06-17T09:55:52.679-05:00Anticipatory Living! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Happy Birthday! Indeed! A parade of men passed our tiny house on Avant street going home after a day’s work. One man stopped and asked when my birthday would be. “I don’t know, it was on Sunday last year. It keeps changing.” I didn’t understand why he laughed.<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Anticipation often accompanies a birthday. Sixteen really became a memory to remember. I took a driving test, permission to wear lipstick, and given permission to date! I could also drink coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Mom and Dad taught me the song, “<i>Jesus Loves Me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong.</i>” As I sang this to my husband, tears came to my eyes. It is for all God’s children, no matter what the age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Now I know the joy this world offers, is not for me. I anticipate ‘going home’ to be with my Savior who carries me through death to eternity. Meanwhile, I learn about God from His Book, verses at a time. <i>“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”</i> Acts 1:11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My dear Aunt Irene introduced learning about God to extend into the eternity of the blessing of knowing God. When I think of the joy of learning, I read this verse and know I am not ready yet to know all of God’s story, but just a taste on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>O Lord my God, You have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.</i> Psalm 40:5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way</i>. Psalm 119:103-104.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Understanding the longing for righteousness and God’s love becomes my quest and my prayerful longing. I see memories of the past with fresh eyes. Learning God’s way gives me an understanding of the continual spiritual warfare between God’s righteousness and Satan’s evil that plagues the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Our greatest adventure is renewing our journey with our Lord and God, as our gift in Him. When I looked in the mirror, I see an old lady. It is then I ask what the Lord sees, because of His royal gift of His Son, Jesus, to pay for my sins. Anticipation for a birthday cake with candles and ice cream becomes a deeper longing for Home in Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The beginning of a new life contains the hope of eternal life. Otherwise, we cannot endure the heartaches and sorrows that help us grow in trusting our Lord and Savior. How does this new life begin? Choosing God’s love and living for Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ‘DNA’ becomes ours before we enter the world and causes us to hunger and thirst for righteousness and long for our Lord. <i>He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart</i>, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes. 3:11. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.</i> Ephesians 1:4-5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! </i> Psalm 139:16-18.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.</i> Psalm 42:8.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young</i>. Isaiah 40:11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>See, how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him.</i> I John 3:1.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>“For the Lord, your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”</i> Zephaniah 3:17.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> What is our assurance that we really belong to God, once we choose to follow and walk with Him, in this life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord</i>. Romans 8:38-39.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Happy Birthday! Indeed! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-49151103326565599442020-06-10T13:37:00.000-05:002020-06-10T13:37:34.559-05:00Persevering Day by Day!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwL6EiesXUWlXywOpiiMuF25J_WHUAFrGXwTBwUt2gZkBjzJkPah3ohwT6UB_d_iJgFBpxzcOBbeJmvJT2YdbNkZgjT_hTJF902FxMesrUe9J2Dov7OuDxJfqnHfQjo5LnCFJFw/s1600/6.9.2020Persevering.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="548" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwL6EiesXUWlXywOpiiMuF25J_WHUAFrGXwTBwUt2gZkBjzJkPah3ohwT6UB_d_iJgFBpxzcOBbeJmvJT2YdbNkZgjT_hTJF902FxMesrUe9J2Dov7OuDxJfqnHfQjo5LnCFJFw/s320/6.9.2020Persevering.png" width="304" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.</i> Psalm 118:24. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Knowing with our heads that Lord makes each day isn’t enough. It is when our hearts know, our attitude can follow. Then we can endure the day when things seem to go wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When we are young, we are invincible, and nothing is too hard for us. As we grow into responsibilities, we are overwhelmed and become frustrated. Where do we turn to find relief? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Then we find our Lord God, and as we grow in the understanding of His Word, we know there is more to each day than angry words, frustration, or sorrows uncounted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>You are my God, and I will give thanks to You; You are my God; I will extol you. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!</i> Psalm 118:28-29.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Did you see the word ‘steadfast’? Steadfast means to continue on or to persevere. This is who God is! Steadfast. Did you run out of breath in your lungs? Have you become thirsty with no water? Has the sun quit shining during the day, or the stars burn out at night? Since God created the earth and everything on the earth and around the earth, they continue to exist. He is steadfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> He created the seasons and the animals and the birds that fly. He created gravity, towering mountains, and oceans. He created us male and female. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Is it any wonder we learn to turn in God’s Holy Word. <i>I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.</i> Psalm 121:1-2. Verse 4 continues–<i>Behold He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Our Lord does not grow weary, He watches over us at all times.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Have you ever considered the blessing of an ordinary day? A day with no interruptions or worrisome and wearisome happenings? How can this be? For an older person, a day with no unfamiliar aches or pain can be a day to rejoice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When younger we often fill our days with activities, but without reflection on the why of things that happen. While young, we look for fresh surprises and exciting things to happen. When asked about our days, especially now, we often say, “Oh, it is the same old thing!” Is it really? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When our eyes are open, we see, when our ears are ready to hear, we learn. I used to not like to go to school. Then I taught school. The excitement and wonder in a child’s eyes when they discover new learning still excites me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My two favorite words are ‘ponder’ and ‘wonder’ in the Bible. When I consider the vast learning there is in the Bible, I decided when I reached the Gate of Heaven, I would know it all. A wise friend gave me another understanding. We will spend eternity learning about God and His Son, Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I read this scripture, and it whets my appetite to learn more. <i>Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.</i> John 21:25.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My curriculum is set for eternity. And the Holy Bible on earth is a precursor for eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Persevering is living in expectancy. When my mother, a widow for almost twenty years, moved from Oklahoma to Arkansas, she set about settling into a new life. She visited the local museum and found ways of helping and made friends. She taught a Bible study and taught piano lessons. She was over eighty years old. One morning I walked with her, and shared that she began each day with the question to the Lord, “What do you have for me today?” Then she kept her eyes open and watched for opportunities to serve Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Then I read about the way to make prayer bookends for each day. In the morning pray these three words, “Lord, Use Me!” In the evening Praise God for His faithfulness. In between, wait on the Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Was it difficult for her to move to another community? Yes. Was it difficult to find a place to be? Yes. Yet, Mom persevered in the Lord, wherever she found herself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Her favorite, Psalm 37, contains these verses that are guidelines for persevering in the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.<br />Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!</i> Psalm 37:3-7.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Trusting in the Lord God; trusting in His Way and in His Truth brings us deliverance, and the Holy Spirit seals that deliverance. Strength and guidance from God Himself come through Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Whether climbing hills, dwelling in a place without a refuge, our ultimate salvation is in the hands of our Lord God and His Son. Hold fast and endure with purposeful living and making each day count. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in Him.</i> Psalm 37:39-40. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” <i>It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.</i> Jude 1:17-21. Ever Persevere in the Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-34979783485561585232020-06-03T09:43:00.002-05:002020-06-03T09:43:48.121-05:00Expectations!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oedJSoEep6WakcVyYvSh8v0gCTQ3AbfCLQgbacUNfe4Bvgq5aS3Qmh6AtrZbYXj4QetOfSRaK7ubIRj3ZB40bxJIUBdeRZ9vgGNfeX9welakr-uSRXOqS2ENg3cFu-cvpcWTmw/s1600/6.2.2020Expectations%2521.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="576" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oedJSoEep6WakcVyYvSh8v0gCTQ3AbfCLQgbacUNfe4Bvgq5aS3Qmh6AtrZbYXj4QetOfSRaK7ubIRj3ZB40bxJIUBdeRZ9vgGNfeX9welakr-uSRXOqS2ENg3cFu-cvpcWTmw/s320/6.2.2020Expectations%2521.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What shall we expect when we see in the promise of a flower? What does the Lord God who created us delight in? The Lord God takes pleasure in those who hope in His steadfast Love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> <span style="background: white;">His delight is not in the strength of the horse,</span> <span style="background: white;">nor His pleasure in the legs of a man,</span> <span style="background: white;">but the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> takes pleasure in those who fear Him, </span><span style="background: white;">in those who hope in his steadfast love. </span></i><span style="background: white;">Psalm 147:10-11.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> We use the word, ‘hope’ in many ways rather than in His steadfast love? Hoping for good grades, winning the sweepstakes, or for a good time, or a good meal is an end in itself. However, when we hope in God’s steadfast love we are reaching for the steadfast love and describes the presence of God, His Power, and pictures His Purpose.</span><b><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">“There is no greater discovery than seeing God as the author of your destiny.” Ravi Zacharias. Indeed, this Lord God is the One who sees and knows all. He is present at all times. and fights for us. </span><i><span style="background: white;">The <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.</span></i> Exodus 14:14. Moses assures God’s chosen people that there is no fear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> How is God able to help us? Have we forgotten His Awesome power as our Lord God tamed the leaping waters of the sea? Are we not able to see the mountains standing in place like sentries watching the deed of man while watching the Heavens?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In the third chapter of Lamentations, a man laments his condition on earth. <i><span style="background: white;">My soul is bereft of peace;</span> <span style="background: white;">I have forgotten what happiness is;</span> <span style="background: white;">so I say,</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">“My endurance has perished;</span></i><i> <span style="background: white;">so, has my hope from the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span></i><span style="background: white;">.” Lamentation. 3:17-18.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> </span><i>The steadfast love of the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> never ceases;</i><i> </i><i>His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;</i><i> </i><i>great is Your faithfulness.</i><i><sup> </sup></i><i>“The <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” The <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> is good to those who wait for Him,</i><i> </i><i>to the soul who seeks Him. </i><i><sup> </sup></i><i>It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></i>. Lamentations 3:22-26.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Is there anywhere I can run and know The Lord’s Comfort and Peace for my Soul? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;</i><i> </i><i>incline your ear to me and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; You have given the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked</i><i> </i><i>from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. </i> Psalm 71:2-4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We talk about our intentional way of living our lives for several reasons. Have we considered the purpose of God in creating us and placing us in this universe?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> What happens when our burden becomes so wearisome, we want to give up? That is when we know our Lord is the place to go. To The One who promises Peace, the One who gave His Life for us also says. <i><span style="background: white;">Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. </span></i><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white;">For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” </span></i><span style="background: white;">Matthew 11:28-30.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> Even though times may be difficult on earth at times, I know you are with me and walk beside me. I know when You love me when you discipline me. But I also know your invitation is, </span><i><span class="text Rev-3-19" id="en-ESV-30750" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rev-3-20" id="en-ESV-30751" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Behold, I stand at the door and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30751B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30751B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>knock. <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30751C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30751C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30751D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30751D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rev-3-21" id="en-ESV-30752" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30752E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30752E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>The one who conquers, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30752F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30752F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30752G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30752G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.</span></span><span style="background: white;"> </span></i><span style="background: white;">Revelation 3:19-21.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> Do I want to live? Indeed! Then I know this is my deliverance: <i>for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, </i></span><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white;">as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. </span></i><span style="background: white;">Philippians 1:19-21.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">Behold, the eye of the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> is on those who fear </span></i><i>H<span style="background: white;">im,</span> <span style="background: white;">on those who hope in </span>H<span style="background: white;">is steadfast love,</span> <span style="background: white;">that </span>H<span style="background: white;">e may deliver their soul from death</span></i><i><span style="background: white;"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white;">and keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:18-19.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,</span></i><i><span style="background: white;"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white;">for my hope is from Him.</span></i><i> </i><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white;">He only is my rock and my salvation,</span></i><i><span style="background: white;"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white;">my fortress; I shall not be shaken.</span></i><i> Psalm 62:5-6.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,</span></i><i> <span style="background: white;">from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.</span></i><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white;">For you, O Lord, are my hope,</span></i><i> <span style="background: white;">my trust, O <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, from my youth.</span> <span style="background: white;">Upon you I have learned from before my birth;</span></i><i><span style="background: white;"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white;">you are </span></i><i>H<span style="background: white;">e who took me from my mother's womb.</span> <span style="background: white;">My praise is continually of You. Psalm 71:4-6.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">You are my hiding place and my shield;</span></i><i> <span style="background: white;">I hope in your Word. Psalm 119:114.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">I wait for the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, my soul waits,</span></i><i> <span style="background: white;">and in </span></i><i>H<span style="background: white;">is Word, I hope;</span> <span style="background: white;">my soul waits for the Lord</span></i><i><span style="background: white;"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white;">more than watchmen for the morning,</span></i><i><span style="background: white;"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white;">more than watchmen for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. </span></i><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white;">Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:12-13.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13.</span></i><i><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><sup> </sup></i><i>Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. I Corinthians 13:7-8.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-82040946987379256842020-05-27T11:18:00.000-05:002020-05-27T11:18:06.745-05:00The God Who Works Wonders!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2hnYNVNQo6zE-_0clybdgmEkVZRFk0tXFMSN2L2YwBPp6TYFjW6MMBHbmtoxxAlcTDp-l1VRgm1NZ_S4WMayqzEch8zDdI1JRoodD7cS7iICwErmdytmiMW7kMuCgUz1fBd86A/s1600/5.26.2020.Godworkswonders.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2hnYNVNQo6zE-_0clybdgmEkVZRFk0tXFMSN2L2YwBPp6TYFjW6MMBHbmtoxxAlcTDp-l1VRgm1NZ_S4WMayqzEch8zDdI1JRoodD7cS7iICwErmdytmiMW7kMuCgUz1fBd86A/s320/5.26.2020.Godworkswonders.png" width="293" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> “<span style="background: white;">In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. </span></i><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white;">The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” </span></i><span style="background: white;">Genesis 1:1-2.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> </span>These two verses signal the beginning of awe and wonder. Once we know the beginning and delight of the Grand Creation by our Father God, we know enough to delight in the Lord our God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. </i>Psalm 37:7. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In the anticipation, the wonder of those who come after as they gaze at the vastness of Creation, pleased God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Yes, we were in His mind and thoughts as He thoughtfully created the universe. <i>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. </i>Ephesians 1:3-4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As little children, we are filled with awe and wonder as we learn to walk and talk. As adults, we continue to learn and find joy in each new thing we encounter. It is just learning or is it more?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We learn that without breath, we will not have life. Where does this air we breathe come from? <i>Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into His nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living creature.</i> Genesis 2:7. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The lyrics of <i>Great Are you Lord</i>, begin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>You give life; You are love,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> You bring light to the darkness,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> You give hope; You restore Every heart that hears that broken,</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Great Are You Lord!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Leonard/Ingram, Jordan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Doesn’t it seem incongruous for us to use God’s breath to curse Him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> What are some amazing facts about our bodies?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Babies are born with 300 bones, while adults have 206.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Eyelashes last 50 days.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> The heart circulates blood through the body 1000 times a day.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> We are taller in the morning than in the evening.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> We make about a pint of spit each day.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Our eyeballs are part of our brans</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> A sneeze blows out air out of our noses at 100 mph…</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> According to ScienceBob.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Are wonder and joy related to learning? Are there levels of joy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do we have to be thankful for in this day and age of evil and sickness and death?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. </i>Habakkuk 3:17-18. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, He is faithful to those who truly love Him. We are not bound by rules but a relationship with our Lord God. The Father God who sent His Son Jesus to earth to teach us to love one another. The Jesus taught us to serve one another, be kind, and with God, there is no Love, Joy, or Peace in the world. Without Love, Joy, or Peace, we experience Hate, Sadness, and Chaos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A songwriter penned these words, <i>Let there be peace on earth</i><i> And let it begin with me. </i>(Vince Gill). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i>With Jesus, we look back; we look up. And we look forward. When we look back, we see the mighty deeds of our Father God. We look up to see our destiny, and we look forward to the path God has placed us! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> God’s Word is a place of Learning and Rejoicing. Times of suffering, of following God, and obeying Him brings Joy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoic</i><i>e and be glad in it.</i> Psalm 118:24.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.</i> Philippians 4:4-5.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> What is the secret of knowing an everlasting Joy in your heart? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. <sup> </sup>Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. <sup> </sup>And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.</i> Colossians 3:15-17.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. </i>James 4:10.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i><sup> </sup>A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. </i>John 13:34. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This is the beginning of all Wonder, that Jesus loves us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-63058398874693162742020-05-20T10:40:00.001-05:002020-05-20T10:41:58.045-05:00For Those Who Love God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;"> And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.</span></i><span style="background: white;"> Romans 8:28. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> </span><i><span style="background: white;">You keep him in perfect peace</span></i><i> <span style="background: white;">whose mind is stayed on You </span></i><i><span style="background: white;">because he trusts in you.</span></i><i> </i><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white;">Trust in the Lord forever,</span></i><i> <span style="background: white;">for the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">God</span> is an everlasting rock. </span></i><span style="background: white;">Isaiah 26:3-4.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> </span><i><span style="background: white;">For I know the plans I have for you, declares the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. </span></i><span style="background: white;">Jeremiah 29:11-13.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These verses tell us the beauty of trusting in the Lord God! And keeping our eyes on Jesus, God’s Only Son, at all times. When things are going well for us, we forget the power of God and the way He makes good things happen for us. We forget the peace we have in Jesus, and we forget to seek for Him with all our hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When things in the world are less than perfect, and we think we are the only ones who have ever had to follow constrictive laws during a crisis. Reading the beginning paragraph my Mother wrote about, describes the memory of the impact of an Influenza Epidemic in 1928 on her usual Christmas celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We cannot understand each happening in the world, yet reading I Peter 3:10-11, this morning, I understood how God works things together for good that love Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“For Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;<sup> </sup>let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” I Peter 3:10-11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Peter, the disciple, witnessed the Transfiguration on the mountain when the face of Jesus shone like the sun, and Moses and Elijah came and talked with Jesus. (Matthew 17:1-3) He saw the many miracles of Jesus, and yet, when Jesus is arrested before his crucifixion, Peter denied Jesus three times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Is this the end of the story? No. He begins to teach and quoted Psalm 34:11-14. Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?<sup> </sup>Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> King David wrote these words while seeking the Lord years before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is faithful and watches over those who praise Him and love Him. From the beginning. In the beginning, God, and choosing God, there is life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I never realized how important or how meaningful the word ‘good’ is as a child. How often I heard – ‘<i>Be good!</i>’ from my parents growing up. No one ever explained what ‘good’ is. Now I know in part. Being good is being like Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.</i> Colossians 3:12-13.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Impossible to achieve? Not when we walk with the Lord each moment and keep our eyes on Jesus. In John 13, Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. Peter wonders if Jesus would wash his feet, Jesus answered him, “<i>What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand</i>.” John 13:7.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We don’t understand many happenings in our lives, and the why of situations now, but they will work together for our good. How can we be sure we are on the right pathway in life? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. </i>Matthew 6:33-34.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is good in our lives? God IS. He doesn’t change. We see changes in our lives; we 'defriend’ those we once were close to and we are afraid of many things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why can’t things just stay the same, we wonder? There are some things that do not change. The sun still rises and sets, the stars still shine at night, seasons come and go. It rains, it snows, and then the warmth of the sun warms the earth. Seeds still sprout and grow. The birds sing on the wing, squirrel dart here and there, looking for food. Flowers bloom and fill the air with a sweet scent. Babies are born in love, couples marry, and lives end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do these all these things have in common? They are part of God’s creation long ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty, I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” Revelation 21:6-7.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><sup> </sup><i>For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”</i> Romans 1:16-17.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The beginning verse, Romans 8:28, <i>those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose</i>… is a Promise, of certainty, not an explanation for happenings in life. Only God can fit the pieces of our lives together and make it good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-21051300922243238432020-05-13T11:45:00.001-05:002020-05-13T12:04:29.355-05:00Contented Living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplUDpkzG9TZBDOwLoYnmSYKDyn5h_MRbIRx98MRrW6yFco-Z7Bqwcl8FR4nmLHoIJhEZKGWo7paH_soVv6T3z_kV10BfwqRsayslP8tssqGCajmvns_FUdmBP4jiSR5iTGEyBUQ/s1600/5.12.2020.ContentedLiving.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="576" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplUDpkzG9TZBDOwLoYnmSYKDyn5h_MRbIRx98MRrW6yFco-Z7Bqwcl8FR4nmLHoIJhEZKGWo7paH_soVv6T3z_kV10BfwqRsayslP8tssqGCajmvns_FUdmBP4jiSR5iTGEyBUQ/s320/5.12.2020.ContentedLiving.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;"> But godliness with contentment is great gain</span></i><span style="background: white;">. I Timothy 6:6. What does it take to live contentedly? The Apostle Paul, chosen by God, suffered through beatings, shipwrecks, stoned, and imprisoned for his faith in Christ Jesus. He wrote, <i>Î have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.</i> Philippians 4:12.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> </span><span style="background: white;"> </span>As we walk deeper into this pandemic time, are we content? Do we know the difference between needs and wants? Suddenly we must determine the difference. Where is our trust? Where is our faith? There is no contentment without trusting God. There is no contentment without having faith in God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. </i>Hebrews 11:1. The following thirty-nine verses are stories of faith from the Old Testament. Stories of men who had a relationship with the Lord God and trusted Him with all their hearts! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Contentment is finding joy in what we already have in our lives – our possessions, our status, or situation, without acquiring more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> My brother, Jim, had a verse to memorize Mom gave him. <i>For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. </i>Matthew 6:21. He said this verse many times, until I learned it, too. I didn’t understand, because I wondered how my heart could be in a treasure chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Then I learned a verse from Matthew 5:6, <i>Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. </i>Then came, <i>How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! </i>Psalm 119:103.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Contentment Living is like being a wheel of life. Its spokes are Truth, Righteousness, Trust, Faith, Life, Thankfulness, Peace, and Joy. When we wait on the Lord and trust in Him, and He turns the Wheel of our Lives, and we are strengthened to live for Him. The center of the wheel is Hope in Christ Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The one thing the Children of Israel did as they traveled in the wilderness for forty years is be faithful in complaining about the food, the water, and the unending journey. They soon tired of the Manna,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i><sup> </sup>For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. </i>2 Corinthians 12:10-11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> True contentment comes from knowing we are safe in God’s hands, not for today, tomorrow but for eternity. “<i>I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” </i> John 10:28.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Waiting on the Lord is actively practicing patience, faithfulness, and expectantly. When my Mother moved to our town to be closer, nearer to us. She shared that she gave each day to the Lord. She waited to see what the days would bring. As the days continued, her patience with the Lord grew thin. When we wait on the Lord, trusting Him completely doesn’t mean we understand the length of the waiting. Letting God be God and giving Him our hand so He can lead our hearts is the first step. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> While studying <i>contentedness</i> I looked at the synonyms. Cheerful, glad, pleased, satisfied, serene, and thankful. Then I looked at the word <i>Blessed</i> and found blissful, contented, endowed, glad, and fortunate. Contented? There is a relationship between the meanings of <i>Contentment</i> and <i>Blessed</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Sermon on the Mount holds ten secrets for contentment called the Beatitudes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” </i>Matthew 5:3-12.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>Find Joy in the Journey</i>. With Joy is Thanksgiving and Gratefulness for the blessings that lead to contentment in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The Beatitudes are our stepping-stones to living a contented life in the Lord Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">Does Jesus care when my heart is pained</span></i><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">Too deeply for mirth or song,</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">As the burdens press, and the cares distress,</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">And the way grows weary and long?</span></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,</span></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">His heart is touched with my grief;</span></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,</span></i></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">I know my Savior cares.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">Refrain:</span></i><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Frank Graeff)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-76266335948670332882020-05-06T11:56:00.000-05:002020-05-06T11:56:10.573-05:00Change of Seasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Seasons on this earth are accepted and ordained by our Lord God, who created this earth and the universe surrounding it. The sun comes up and sets, the moon wanes and becomes full again. We cannot stop change, but we can control our response to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Our bodies go through changes. We learn to walk; we learn to talk; we learn to do many things. Then the day comes when we find out we are not able to do as much. Our stamina is not what it once was. My son, who sang in the church choir, came to me and said, “Mom, you lost your tenor!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It is when my husband climbed the ladder to work on the roof, at 85, I realized something would change. Two years later we lived in a different home and the diagnosis of Dementia hung over our heads. Change. Why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Change disrupts plans, interrupts the rhythms of life, and causes new directions. Has it ever happened before? This led me to a website of an outline of pandemics, plagues, and times of human epidemics from 3000 BC to the present worldwide Covid-19.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> How easy it is to be lulled into a comfortable routine. We want to believe we control the changes in our lives. Changing the position of the furniture in our home is all the change we want. How easy it is to lose sight of God’s truth and make decisions to protect our comfort and our way of living, not realizing what we are missing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> God uses our waiting-time to change us for His Purposes. During this time of ‘sheltering,’ we have many suggestions on how to spend our time. I spend contemplating God’s Word and am satisfied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.</i> Philippians 1:6. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.</i> Lamentations 3:25-26.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Jeremiah 29:11 is quoted, to find our purpose in the Lord. There is more. <i>For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.</i> Jeremiah 29:11-13.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We will find our Lord when we seek with all our hearts. He does not hide from us. He will always be. And we will always be His, for He created us. One of my favorite verses comes from Ecclesiastes 3:11. <i>He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that He cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> God spends time with every baby conceived in a Mother’s Womb. <i>Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of </i><i>them, </i><i>the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!</i> Psalm 139:16-17.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> If we encounter so many changes in this world, what can we rely on for a certainty? How can we be transformed to find our way in Him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, the triune God, is unchanging in holiness, righteousness, and glory. <span style="background: white; color: #222325; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Revelation 1:8.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> <span style="background: white; color: #222325; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. </span></i><span style="background: white; color: #222325; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">James 1:17.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #222325; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #272727;">Our God will outlast the heavens: “Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment.” </span></i><span style="background: white; color: #272727;">Psalm 102:26<i>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #272727;"> </span></i><span style="background: white; color: #272727;">What will not change? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #272727;"> <b>God’s Word. 1 Peter 1:23 - </b></span></i><i><span style="background: white;">Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,</span></i><b><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="background: white;">since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God</span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #272727;"> God’s Love. I Chronicles 16:34 - </span></i></b><i><span style="background: white;">Oh give thanks to the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>, for He is good;</span></i><i><span style="background: white;"> </span></i><i><span style="background: white;">for His steadfast love endures forever!</span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #272727;"> God’s Purpose. Hebrews 6:17-19 - </span></i></b><i><span style="background: white;">So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, </span></i><b><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="background: white;">so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain</span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #272727;"> Jesus’s Intercession for us. Hebrews 7:21-22 - </span></i></b><i>but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn</i><i> </i><i>and will not change his mind, You are a priest forever.’” This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #272727;"> Judgment Day. 2 Corinthians 5:10 - </span></i></b><i><span style="background: white;">For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.</span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #272727;"> Our Final Destination. I Peter 1:3-4 - </span></i></b><i><span style="background: white;">Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,</span></i><b><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="background: white;">to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.</span></i><i style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-29904034820188329462020-04-29T11:21:00.000-05:002020-04-29T11:21:06.901-05:00God Cares For You<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<i>God will take care of you<br /> Through every day, o’er all the way.<br /> He will take care of you<br /> God will take care of you.</i><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> Who is this God who will take care of us? And every day – over all the way? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> Surely there is no one this great?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"><i>To whom then will you compare me,<br />that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see:<br />Who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power, not one is missing. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.<b><sup> </sup></b>Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted,<b><sup> </sup></b>but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. </i> Isaiah 40:25-26, 28-31.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> This God will care for you without fail. <i>The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.</i> Exodus 14:14. This during the time the Children of Israel tried to escape from the Egyptian soldiers. These are the words Moses spoke to reassure the people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, he had his servants fire up the furnace. The three men stood firm and answered the King,<i> If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.</i> Daniel 3:17.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> Hebrews 11 tells of many more who believed and trusted in God. God cared for them all. Then to redeem us all who obey his commandments and put our faith in Him, He sent Jesus, His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. <b><sup> </sup></b>“<i>For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.</i>” John 3:16.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> Yes, God cares for us. He provides redemption through His Son for the forgiveness of our sins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> He sends redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever. <i>Holy and awesome is His name! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!</i> Psalm 110:9-10.</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> Jesus gave us one commandment - “<i>You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. <b><sup> </sup></b>This is the great and first commandment. <b><sup> </sup></b>And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”</i> Matthew 22:37-38.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> We show we obey these two commandments when we show the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. <b><sup> </sup></b><i>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law. </i>Galatians 5:22-23.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> Who do these qualities, these Fruit of the Spirit, sound like? A person you know who loves, rejoices, is peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled, someone who knows Jesus. Someone who loves others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.<br />He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> Psalm 23:1-3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> The Shepherd describes our Lord Jesus. He guides us, and when we falter, He carries us back to the fold to safety. This is a picture of the loving and caring of Jesus, God’s only son, who died for our sins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> <i>He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom and gently lead those that are with young.</i> Isaiah 40:11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> We are to reflect God’s love in the way we live. Even as God cares for the least of these, we are to care with all our hearts for others. We listen and learn who God is and how He loves us. “<i>Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!”</i> Psalm 46:10.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> Why do we believe? He is preparing for us even now. “<i>Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. <b><sup> </sup></b>In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? <b><sup> </sup></b>And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that</i> where I am, you may be also. <b><sup> </sup></b>And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> On this earth, we are ambassadors for Christ Jesus. We are representatives as we care and serve our brothers and sisters. Our enemies are not those created by God. Ephesians 6:12. <i>For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> What is left to do? <i>Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because <b>He cares for you</b>.</i> I Peter 5:6-7.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-32804935064486293322020-04-22T11:19:00.000-05:002020-04-22T11:21:39.397-05:00He Chose Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ1uhji49aUm_1bYxSPxe6Fx5TDpyhi_XKCopCk2XrLyfaYv48OB5F4wGc90kX_z-i4yrUbhrUuGhwPoh2CYAgyG7Lb41GifBqC9ARDHl5bY_DwzTmHT6mCCi89Nd006oW17GlQ/s1600/4.21.20.BeforeFoundation.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="576" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ1uhji49aUm_1bYxSPxe6Fx5TDpyhi_XKCopCk2XrLyfaYv48OB5F4wGc90kX_z-i4yrUbhrUuGhwPoh2CYAgyG7Lb41GifBqC9ARDHl5bY_DwzTmHT6mCCi89Nd006oW17GlQ/s320/4.21.20.BeforeFoundation.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! </i>Psalm 118:24. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i><span style="background: white;">Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,</span></i><i> even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.</i> Ephesians 1:3-4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In this time, how can we find joy? How can we be content? Our lives are placed in turmoil with all that goes on in the world. How can we find the Joy of God? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Lyrics containing the following thoughts come to mind. <i>Hallelujah, He’s working even now. Though we often don’t know just how God is working even now. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I learned about the joy of being chosen while in the second grade, to play <i>Red Rover, Red Rover, send someone over</i>! When I was chosen as the ‘someone’, it elated me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The day I read Ephesians One, my heart stood still. He chose you, and He chose me before the foundation of the world. Going back to Genesis 1:2, I found these words: <i>The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> That is when God chose us, even before the light is created, many generations ago. I look around at the beauty of Spring and give thanks for the beauty God surrounded us within the earth He created.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> He chose us before He made the towering mountains, created light so we can enjoy His Glory. He created the birds and wrote the songs they sing as they brighten our day. He provided water and the seeds for many living plants from which we can make our daily bread. He thought of the future. He created man and woman, Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden. Because of their sin, they had to leave the perfect garden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Redemption and Salvation, to ready us to live with Him, is woven into every page of the Old Testament. Generation after generation of people have lived on this earth since God created our earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In 2018, I learned about <i>Nach Kommen</i>, <i>those who come after</i>. This is when I learned my Grandpa prayed for me before I was born, and those who come after. Sometimes we are so concerned about the NOW, tomorrow has no meaning and no Hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Then I read these verses and my soul is filled with Joy and Hope, and God’s Word creates a Stronghold of Faith in my heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Himd because we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> </i><b><i><sup> </sup></i></b><i>The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. </i><b><i><sup> </sup></i></b><i>But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. </i><b><i><sup> </sup></i></b><i>Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:56-58.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.</i> Philippians 4:4-9.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> During this Spring Season, we see the trees dressed in their fresh green leaves, praising God and giving thanks! These trees are ready to give shelter to every bird who has the need and to the squirrels that scurry up its trunk. How can we do any less than give thanks to the Lord, and serve Him?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!</i> 1 Chronicles 16:33-34.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In John 15:9-11, we have the beginning of beauty, of being chosen through the words of Jesus. <i>As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> </i>Jesus desires to find joy in us, and our joy to be full.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things!<br />His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.</i> Psalm 98:1-3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i><span style="background: white;">Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.</span></i><span style="background: white;"> Hebrews 13:8.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-18379647940603843652020-04-15T12:29:00.003-05:002020-04-15T12:29:43.253-05:00All Things New!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “<i>For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.”</i> Isaiah 65:17.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> All things NEW! When an artist views an empty canvas with visions, and a writer views a blank sheet of paper and has dreams of wonder, that turns into “What DO I write?” Then the words flash before the writer, <i>What has been, is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. </i>Ecclesiastes 1:9.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. </i>Genesis 1:1-2.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There was no hesitation in our God. The Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters! He spoke and the heavens and earth were formed. No hesitation, just action. No directions to follow, no pictures of a completed project to replicate! No leftover pieces. How often, I heard my husband, Ed, come in after completing a project, and say, “I think it is good, there weren’t any leftover pieces.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> How we love something new, from the bottom of our feet to the clothing we wear to the car we drive and the house we live in. Yet, God’s creation has lasted for many generations until, Revelations 21:1comes to pass. <i>Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i>How often we use the term ‘New!’ every day. New crop, a loaf of bread, dress, shoes, haircut, lesson, day, year, baby, life, fruit, and tires, taste, time, school, pencil, crayons, a ream of paper, month, song or news. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We try to refresh ourselves, and how is that done? We go to the Mountains, the Beach, the places where we find lush greenery, tall forests, and find the grandeur of color in flowers. Songbirds fill the air with their God-written song.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My Mother had a quest each time we drove anywhere–to find the perfect tree to have a picnic beneath. She loved the grandeur of a tree. Then she taught me the song, I Think That I Shall Never See… a Poem Lovely As a Tree. (Joyce Kilmer). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There is one ‘new’ that we celebrate!<i> <b><sup> </sup></b>Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation</i>. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18. Eighty-two years ago, I felt the newness in my heart when I received the gift of Salvation through baptism in Christ. I remember coming out of the water feeling unburdened and cleansed from sin. The next day in school, I shared my good news, and my friends laughed at me. I learned lesson after lesson through the days that followed. Belonging to Jesus is learning through the places I found myself. Growing up in the Lord requires patience, prayer, willingness to learn to love and forgive. Then there is continuing to believe and trust in the Lord for His guidance even when it hurts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned about pride and literally learned the verse that says… <i>Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall</i>. Proverbs 16:18. This fall was after playing a piano duet on a Sunday night with my Mom. I slipped on three steps and fell before the congregation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Singing a new song of Thanksgiving after walking to the window, to see the brilliant blooms of the flowering tree in the backyard. I find and give thanks for the blessings of God, for they are the assurance He is in control. <i>Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song!</i> Psalm 149:1 and verse four, <i>For the LORD, takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> He helps us re-new our minds when we seek Him. <i>Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,<b><sup> </sup></b>to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. </i><b><sup> </sup></b><i>Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. <b><sup> </sup></b>Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you</i>. Ephesians 4:21-24, 31-32.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Then I search the Bible Concordance for the verses the word, ‘new’ is found. God delights in newness. These are only a few of the verses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> T<i>he steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.</i> Lamentations 3:23.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. </i>Ezekiel 36:26 -27.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.</i> John 13:34.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. <b><sup> </sup></b>Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. <b><sup> </sup></b>For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.</i> Colossians 3:1-3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. <b><sup> </sup></b>All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.</i> 2 Corinthians 5:17-18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. <b><sup> </sup></b>And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful</i>. Colossians 3:12-15.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-5455724504104274172020-04-08T11:20:00.003-05:002020-04-08T11:20:54.739-05:00'It is Finished' and The Beginning!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaADRZVZVH-Z4BbGFZ6PUNmmjlS7ACFjhJMKa6q086WbQGKsjevboJUfqnZep6N8Ui5q52_mnbE6UeF28HMb94XrLe4i4uPHXBA30TxXA9Qr3qBDjM9TBtbUa4nGAGKHQ8okVFQ/s1600/4.7.2020.ItisFinished.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="576" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaADRZVZVH-Z4BbGFZ6PUNmmjlS7ACFjhJMKa6q086WbQGKsjevboJUfqnZep6N8Ui5q52_mnbE6UeF28HMb94XrLe4i4uPHXBA30TxXA9Qr3qBDjM9TBtbUa4nGAGKHQ8okVFQ/s320/4.7.2020.ItisFinished.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">You </span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="background: white;">will </span></i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white;">receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” </span></i><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i></b><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white;">And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,</span></i><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i></b><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white;">and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” </span></i><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Acts 1:8-11.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does this week mean to Jesus? Jesus came as a baby to the virgin, Mary. The angel of the Lord introduced Jesus to the shepherds. <i>And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. <b><sup> </sup></b>For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.</i> Luke 2:10-11. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>And Jesus increased in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 5:52.</i> When Jesus was grown, He called his disciples and taught them. Jesus healed those who were sick, made the blind to see, and the lame to walk. He raised Lazarus from the dead to glorify the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> On the night of the betrayal of Jesus, He took Peter, James, and John with Him as He prayed, <i>And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. <b><sup> </sup></b>And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” </i>Mark 14:35-36.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Jesus had a mission, and on the cross, He completed it. <i>When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up his spirit. </i>John 19:30. What is the mission? <i>“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” </i>John 3:16.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Whoever is anyone who believes... Jesus IS. This declaration, this mission we know as mercy. This is grace. This is redemption from God on high. Why did Jesus God make this sacrifice? Why did Jesus go through with such a horrible experience? Love. God the Father and God the Son both love you, and you, and you, and me. Is it any wonder that Jesus taught us to Love One Another? Those are the two commandments, not ten commandments, but these two, we are to obey. “<i>You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. <b><sup> </sup></b>This is the great and first commandment. <b><sup> </sup></b>And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” </i>Matthew 22:37-39. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When Jesus became a man, He called his disciples and taught them. Jesus healed those who were sick, made the blind to see, and the lame to walk. He raised Lazarus from the dead to glorify the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Jesus had a mission, and on the cross, He completed it. <i>When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up his spirit. </i>John 19:30. What is the mission? <i>“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” </i>John 3:16.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Whoever is anyone who believes Jesus IS. This declaration, this mission, known as mercy, is grace. This is redemption from God on high. Why did Jesus God make this sacrifice? Why did Jesus go through with such a horrible experience? Love. God the Father, God the Son both love you, and you, and you, and me. Is it any wonder that Jesus taught us to <i>Love One Another</i>? Those are the two commandments, not ten commandments, but these two, we are to obey. “<i>You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. <b><sup> </sup></b>This is the great and first commandment. <b><sup> </sup></b>And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” </i>Matthew 22:37-39. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This gift of Grace means eternal life. This Redemption is being at Home with God forever! It means having hope and faith and joy every day on this earth, even during the hard times.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> It means having the Holy Spirit 24/7, to lead and guide us. <i>“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. </i></span><b><i><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="background: white;">And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. </span></i><span style="background: white;">John 14:15-17.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">This week contained heartache for our Lord and a final glory with resurrection and a New Beginning for all of those who believe. This week is the Holy Week, begins with a ride on a donkey, acclaimed by shouts of praise to those waving palm branches. (Matthew 21:1, Mark 11;1, Luke 19:29, and John 12:12).</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> On <b>Monday</b> – Jesus cleanses the temple. (Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:22, and Luke 19:45)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Tuesday</b> marks the day Judas bargains to betray Jesus with the Sanhedrin. Jesus teaches on faith. (Matthew 21:20, Mark 11:20 Luke 20:36, and John 12:20)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Wednesday</b> is the day Jesus prepares for the Last Supper, while Judas and Sanhedrin prepare to arrest Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Thursday</b>, Peter and John prepare the Passover meal. Matthew 26:1, Mark 14:1, and Luke 22:1) Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, going to the Garden of Eden and the agony of Jesus. Betrayal by Judas, and arrest by Sanhedrin. Peter betrays Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Friday</b> is a busy day, with trials before Annas, Sanhedrin, Romans, Pilate, and the fifth trial before Herod, and then Pilate. Jesus is scourged and crucified. Judas hangs himself. (Matthew 26:1, Mark 24:53, Luke 22:54, and John 18:13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> From the cross, Jesus said these seven things: “<i>Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” “Woman, behold thy son.” “My God, My God!” “I thirst”. “It is finished.” and “Into Thy hands, I commit my spirit!” </i>Jesus’ side is pierced. He is buried by sundown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Saturday. </b>Pilate granted the request of the Jewish leadership and sets a seal on the tomb of Jesus. (Matthew 27:66)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Sunday</b>. Jesus Christ rises from the dead before dawn, and He made five appearances on the day of His rising. He appeared before Mary Magdalene, and two other women came to the tomb to complete the burial preparation. He appeared to two disciples on the Road to Emmaus, to the astonished disciples while Thomas was absent. (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Luke 24:1, and John 20:1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="background: white;"> (This outline comes from </span><a href="https://www.christianity.com/jesus/death-and-resurrection/holy-week-and-passion/a-time-line-of-the-passion-week.html" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="background: white;">Christianity.com</span></a><span style="background: white;">)</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19900080.post-87702807579141656692020-04-01T16:12:00.002-05:002020-04-01T16:14:18.133-05:00Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span><i> </i></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eDPBL3pcf-oYmL5mlC9oLv4XB2KCgss23FhX2seVyXw-ywIwf4cpsEJGQo5d7uXeuA9fBzIGNkvvNggYUqJdE0KcLqYXi5-YZpgSdZFGunKnfkbKw89iACBANdgG2JM6p9QuRg/s1600/3.31.2020TurnYourEyesonJesus.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eDPBL3pcf-oYmL5mlC9oLv4XB2KCgss23FhX2seVyXw-ywIwf4cpsEJGQo5d7uXeuA9fBzIGNkvvNggYUqJdE0KcLqYXi5-YZpgSdZFGunKnfkbKw89iACBANdgG2JM6p9QuRg/s320/3.31.2020TurnYourEyesonJesus.png" width="320" /></a></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Turn your eyes upon Jesus,<br /> Look full in His wonderful face,<br /> And the things of earth will <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> grow strangely dim.<br /> In the light of His glory and grace.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Helen Lemmel, 1918.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory so that your faith and hope are in God. <b><sup> </sup></b>Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart<i>.</i> I Peter1:20-22.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The author of these words in God’s Word is Impetuous Peter. The disciple who impulsively spoke and acted before he thought through his choices. He moved from fear to confidence, from discouragement to determination, and from fear to faith. He was transformed in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Jesus looked at him and said, “<i>You are Simon, the son of John. You shall be called Cephas." </i>(Meaning Peter). John 1:42. <b><sup> </sup></b>And Jesus answered him, “<i>Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.</i>” Matthew 16:17-18.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Jesus knew who Peter is, and had the power to change him, even as He has the power to change us when we believe He is the Son of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> As Jesus walked toward the disciples on the water, our impulsive Peter wanted to walk with Jesus. And Peter answered him, “<i>Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”</i> Matthew 14:28-30.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> As they got into the boat, the wind stopped, and those in the boat worshipped him, Truly, you are the Son of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b><sup> </sup></b><i>And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. <b><sup> </sup></b>And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. <b><sup> </sup></b>And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” <b><sup> </sup></b>For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.</i> Mark 9:2-6.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Have you ever just talked because you were afraid? Wouldn’t you have loved to hear Jesus' visit with Elijah and Moses? Then they heard a voice coming from a cloud that surrounded them. “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Then came time to make ready for the Passover. As they were together and sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <i>“You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ <b><sup> </sup></b>But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” </i> Matthew 26:31-33. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Peter is speaking too fast again. J<i>esus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times</i>.” <b><sup> </sup></b><i>Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same</i>. Matthew 26:34-35. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Jesus took Peter and two more disciples to go watch with Him, as He prayed, these disciples fell asleep. And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, “<i>So, could you not watch with me one hour? <b><sup> </sup></b>Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak</i>.” Matthew 26:40-41.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Then came the denial. Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “Y<i>ou also were with Jesus the Galilean</i>.” <b><sup> </sup></b>But he denied it before them all, saying, “<i>I do not know what you mean</i>.” <b><sup> </sup></b>And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “<i>This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.</i>” And again, he denied it with an oath: “<i>I do not know the man.</i>” After a little while, the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “<i>Certainly you too, are one of them, for your accent betrays you</i>.” Matthew 26:69-73. Then the rooster crowed, and Peter remembered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> What changed Peter? What made the difference in Peter’s life? <i>When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. <b><sup> </sup></b>And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. <b><sup> </sup></b>And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. <b><sup> </sup></b>And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.</i> Acts 2:1-4.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Then Peter preached Christ. “<i>Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know — this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death because it was not possible for Him to be held by it</i>.” Acts 2:22:24. Three thousand souls heard, believed, and were baptized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> What made the difference? The gift of the Holy Spirit transformed Peter. Peter, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, received the wisdom of what to say and what to do’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “T<i>hese things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. <b><sup> </sup></b>But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”</i> John 14:25-27a.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Comments? eacombs@att.netEmily Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307635795863338684noreply@blogger.com0