tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87040210425717678352024-03-19T07:02:28.559-04:00Daily Blessings & TreasuresMy treasures are the daily blessings of the Lord.....Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-44885977165515749562016-07-04T10:44:00.000-04:002016-07-04T10:44:08.140-04:00It's Been a Little While .....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't logged on to my Blog in such a long time I wondered if it was still here! But, like a wonderful old friend, here it is ... </span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b> Scrolling through the list of Blogs I follow I noticed some, like me, hadn't posted in a while, and that's OK since their last posts are all new to me!</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> However, it's the Bloggers that have continued writing and sharing these past couple of years that touched my heart this morning. I applaud your diligence in sharing tidbits of your life. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Catching up has been great and while I don't make promises I'm not sure I can keep, let's just say ... </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello again and see ya soon!</span></h4>
Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-39668534179955723142014-02-16T08:11:00.001-05:002014-02-16T08:11:42.471-05:00GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Here's a little story for you...</strong></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ps5-5YCSAnvTfVKzoSSDMLrMsdcAAE8FtHNWI6IF5xfzt_ba-8_xL2tRT2oCGes1rhrqQHoVVSfYtfN42LWAtKOE_3DkDZANvXAd6LfBuFd0tnqaU3xr11urlrG1JyiLyLoi9z7Y84Gs/s1600/dark+church+with+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ps5-5YCSAnvTfVKzoSSDMLrMsdcAAE8FtHNWI6IF5xfzt_ba-8_xL2tRT2oCGes1rhrqQHoVVSfYtfN42LWAtKOE_3DkDZANvXAd6LfBuFd0tnqaU3xr11urlrG1JyiLyLoi9z7Y84Gs/s1600/dark+church+with+watermark.jpg" height="148" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><strong>A dad and a mom went to church one Sunday evening in separate cars. When services were over the dad thought the mom had their child and the mom thought the dad had him; however, both were wrong. Six year old "Little Johnny" had fallen asleep on the pew during the services and both parents had left church without him. While turning the lights off in the church building, the Pastor discovered Little Johnny just waking up from his pew nap. Realizing the dad and the mom had made a terrible mistake, the Pastor calmly took Little Johnny by the hand and led him to his car, </strong><strong>intending to call his parents and let them know that he would take Little Johnny home. </strong><strong> To further calm Little Johnny the Pastor had promised an ice cream cone on the way home. As he was strapping Little Johnny in the backseat of his car the Pastor noticed a vehicle speeding toward the church. He watched as the panic-stricken dad bounced into the church parking lot, slammed his car into park and jumped out before the vehicle had a chance to come to a complete stop. Relief flooded the dad's face when he saw Little Johnny strapped in the backseat of the Pastor's car wearing a happy and content expression on his face. Little Johnny never realized that for a brief moment that evening, he had been forgotten by his parents. </strong></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong><span style="color: black;">I mentioned in a previous post that I've been researching my family through an ancestry site. I've noticed many of the headstones online include the phrase GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. It's nice to see that loved ones marked the graves as a reminder that it was important that this person be remembered by their family.</span><span style="color: black;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">My Mom and I were remembering my Grandmother last month on what would have been her 102nd birthday, Mom said, "Yes, she's GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN". When Granny was with us she always reminded us that January the 27th was her birthday. I smile when I remember how often she said to us, "you know, January the 27th, that's my birthday." </span></strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: large;">My Grandmother wasn't unique in wanting to be remembered on her birthday; the truth is, we all like to be remembered. Whether we display it to the world or keep it to ourselves, it upsets us to be forgotten. Our spirit rebels against the idea that we are not as important to others as we thought we were. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Have you ever felt that you were forgotten? Imagine standing alone on the curb waiting for a ride and realizing you've been forgotten! In that moment you feel abandoned, insignificant and your day has likely been ruined.</span> </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Two very sad verses in the Bible to me are </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Matthew 26:56 and Mark 14:50. </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Mathew 26:56, "But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled."</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Mark 14:50, "And they all forsook Him, and fled."</em></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Both verses relate the reaction of the </strong><strong>disciples </strong><strong>when Jesus was arrested </strong></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><strong>in the Garden. While His followers did not forget the Lord they did forsake Him. </strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><strong>To forsake </strong></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><strong>means to distance oneself from </strong><strong>someone or something</strong><strong>. As Jesus was being arrested, the fearful disciples felt they needed to put as much distance between themselves and Jesus as they could. Peter did try to defend the Lord with his sword, but even that feeble attempt was more out of anger and fear than bravery. However, before we are hasty in our criticism of the disciples we must take a personal look at the ways in which we are guilty of forsaking our Lord. The disciples had been with Jesus for about 3 1/2 years, yet their fear caused them to flee. </strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><strong>Jesus knew more about being forsaken than I ever will. The Heavenly Father had to turn away from Him as He hung on the cross bearing the sins of mankind. <span style="color: #444444;">Mark 15:34</span> are the words of Jesus, <span style="color: #444444;"><em>"...My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" </em></span> Notice that even in His lowest, human moment, Jesus acknowledged that God was still and forevermore, HIS GOD. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Hopefully you were not forgotten on Valentine's Day, unfortunately people may forget us and loved ones may even forsake us. But, here's wonderful assurance: <span style="color: red;">God will never leave us nor forsake His own! </span> </strong><strong>I pray that God in Heaven is your God and that Jesus is your Savior. If you do not know Him or you have doubts about your relationship with the Heavenly Father, please go to Him in prayer ~ He will hear and answer you if you go to Him and humbly pray.</strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em><u>PLEASE NOTE:</u></em> </strong><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong><em>For the purposes of this post the above story of Little Johnny </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong><em>is a compilation of three similar, </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong><em>but separate stories </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong><em>that </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Times;"><strong><em>my Dad (a Pastor) related to us over the years.</em></strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"></span>Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-53504841472337928102014-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:002014-02-14T06:00:09.586-05:00HAVE A LOVELY DAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"Nay, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Romans 8:37-39</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope God's love shines throughout your day...</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">~Pamelyn</span></strong></span></div>
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<br />Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-67344643337870029072014-01-25T12:29:00.000-05:002014-01-25T12:34:32.566-05:00TIME OUT!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>So, I took a little time away from the Blog World... </em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>What kept me away has been 3 little distractions </em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>and 1 slight frustration.</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><strong><u>3 LITTLE DISTRACTIONS</u></strong></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Our family enjoyed a great Christmas and New Years. We are a large family so when we have the chance to ALL be together we "seize the day" and make it an event. I love my big ole Southern family!</strong></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I recently joined Ancestry.com and even though I was warned by my sister, I have been consumed with researching our family tree on my Mom's side of the family. I love those little leaves!</strong></span></li>
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<li><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Been planning a trip in late Spring to Ireland with my family! Going to Ireland is the only item in my bucket list and I'll blog about that later.</span></strong></li>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><strong><u>1 SLIGHT FRUSTRATION</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Every time I sign in to Blogger I get a creepy little message. I'm not a computer guru by any means, so I followed some suggestions from online helpers and hopefully I can continue with Blogger. If, however you prefer, you can follow me at <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/6867629/daily-blessings-amp-treasures">BlogLovin</a>. </strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HZrGPgICOVFQI6RjYr6BAhuK2QVViKHPeD2wD_Yg5TGn2ca26XIwxgNI0-AoG5IEtC8SugIdls04Pr09SdkgchKD4x2VSlZvtZr0iec_ZBflT0sbE0ziN54FAeKR9RAfj_iHYIQSIttm/s1600/Blog+Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HZrGPgICOVFQI6RjYr6BAhuK2QVViKHPeD2wD_Yg5TGn2ca26XIwxgNI0-AoG5IEtC8SugIdls04Pr09SdkgchKD4x2VSlZvtZr0iec_ZBflT0sbE0ziN54FAeKR9RAfj_iHYIQSIttm/s1600/Blog+Signature.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Life is full of distractions and frustrations but the main thing is still the main thing. God has blessed me with a loving family, dear friends and so many ways to stay in touch. Thank you to those that read this little blog...</em> </strong></span><br />
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<br />Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-85155724010317616112013-12-27T09:44:00.001-05:002013-12-27T09:44:29.033-05:00Rescue the Perishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkgrbHt-KEl_zZDxilUh6UnA4RVQaa7nXRSQiSioDrXHMN_yKsdQrOx3h53J8dygE0D38OUwSTXXLYxcx0U0gZChN71D7P-ukxtTKR8NA4zlU052OVBIknzJfCySBLptIQqnvgP2ilya_/s1600/Rescue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkgrbHt-KEl_zZDxilUh6UnA4RVQaa7nXRSQiSioDrXHMN_yKsdQrOx3h53J8dygE0D38OUwSTXXLYxcx0U0gZChN71D7P-ukxtTKR8NA4zlU052OVBIknzJfCySBLptIQqnvgP2ilya_/s1600/Rescue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkgrbHt-KEl_zZDxilUh6UnA4RVQaa7nXRSQiSioDrXHMN_yKsdQrOx3h53J8dygE0D38OUwSTXXLYxcx0U0gZChN71D7P-ukxtTKR8NA4zlU052OVBIknzJfCySBLptIQqnvgP2ilya_/s320/Rescue.jpg" width="312" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkgrbHt-KEl_zZDxilUh6UnA4RVQaa7nXRSQiSioDrXHMN_yKsdQrOx3h53J8dygE0D38OUwSTXXLYxcx0U0gZChN71D7P-ukxtTKR8NA4zlU052OVBIknzJfCySBLptIQqnvgP2ilya_/s1600/Rescue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What could be more satisfying to a human than to be in a position to rescue another human from injury or death? We see news reports all the time of ordinary people that do extraordinary things for people in need. When asked, these heroes usually reply, <em>"I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."</em> When I see these stories I'm always reminded of the </strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>words written by Fanny Crosby, "Rescue the Perishing". </strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmImYxgtRSX2MeiFvxg-QvbwkcihTWlCq7RM1Rd7l3Cv1SnHbBW8zDXSzh2_RsrmhBslRnAZislYdlYZQEL_Wf3-SQNXrH8qPAnxfllD68YEC8OUMoat1HJU6qrtSci-9iNLRbKo38-BeX/s1600/rescuetheperishing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmImYxgtRSX2MeiFvxg-QvbwkcihTWlCq7RM1Rd7l3Cv1SnHbBW8zDXSzh2_RsrmhBslRnAZislYdlYZQEL_Wf3-SQNXrH8qPAnxfllD68YEC8OUMoat1HJU6qrtSci-9iNLRbKo38-BeX/s640/rescuetheperishing.jpeg" width="539" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>This song praises the Rescuer of our souls and acknowledges the fact that we are not the rescuers ~ God is the Rescuer. </strong><strong> It is vital that we remind ourselves that we, as believers, are sinners saved by grace. My perishing soul needed rescuing by God. </strong><strong>We, as believers, have an important part to play as witnesses to those that need a Savior, but even though we may desire to, we cannot save anyone. Salvation is God's divine work and we must ACKNOWLEDGE</strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong> God's part: </strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy9qvfu80fSYljcDZngjG2Ce2vUY9XhDq_TwWva7fSojBC-ntg-dt0dt7uMoztmYKZg7gcEIk0ywyWjyU5Y1oOK74LsBeIjRd8cc1ejlUJ80tgCRTw_2aX75sI_o1-C-vUQ_e57YtVyxe/s1600/signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy9qvfu80fSYljcDZngjG2Ce2vUY9XhDq_TwWva7fSojBC-ntg-dt0dt7uMoztmYKZg7gcEIk0ywyWjyU5Y1oOK74LsBeIjRd8cc1ejlUJ80tgCRTw_2aX75sI_o1-C-vUQ_e57YtVyxe/s200/signature.jpg" width="134" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Psalm 25:15, <em>"Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net."</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Psalm 121:1, 2 <span class="highl"> <em>"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come?</em></span><em> My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.…;"</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Then, we can IDENTIFY our part in this divine work:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Matthew 9:2-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:18-26 </strong></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Be available for God's use in helping others. Stay in touch with Him through daily prayer and Bible study. </strong></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Be a prayer warrior for others. I believe in the power of prayer because I have experienced the power of God in my own life when others have prayed for me.</strong></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Be a patient and loving encourager. </strong></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Depend on God for results. Meeting the needs of others is God's job and the results are due to His power, grace and mercy.</strong></span></li>
<li><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Recognize the fact that people are perishing and their greatest need is a Savior.</span></strong></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Finally, remember that we are the INSTRUMENT, not the healer.</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFpe-SYg0vQN1IhnoMUdzU88wm6-H7cPBocmvv0NDQjbcU7n1iMotyZc6Qbyi86yzE9IJjDDIWMnWPSCcPHKzl2Qwrv4B_8HfXfvHngFE2OE3UjM9Thxgdit-b-8n2jZpvZJnq7gOct-h/s1600/surgeon+hand+and+scalpel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFpe-SYg0vQN1IhnoMUdzU88wm6-H7cPBocmvv0NDQjbcU7n1iMotyZc6Qbyi86yzE9IJjDDIWMnWPSCcPHKzl2Qwrv4B_8HfXfvHngFE2OE3UjM9Thxgdit-b-8n2jZpvZJnq7gOct-h/s320/surgeon+hand+and+scalpel2.jpg" width="320" /></strong></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Consider the surgeon and the scalpel. I</strong><strong>n the operating room, i</strong><strong>t would be ludicrous for a surgeon to ask <em>the scalpel</em> where to make an incision on a patient. The scalpel does not have the capabilities to perform an operation without the hand of the surgeon. The same is true when we, as sinners saved by grace, attempt to perform the divine work of God's hands in the lives of others. </strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>As I look forward to 2014 I pray that I will </em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">ACKNOWLEDGE God's divine work in the lives of others,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">IDENTIFY my part in sharing the gospel, </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">and strive to be an INSTRUMENT </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">God </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: large;">can use to <em>rescue the perishing</em>.</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvt6Vg7_KNHAmoJMImu5feaCqq9fh0rIiSgehKUS1I1HA6ykMUMN8CVFdAA94skxcJp2bJV7D7lTlt900jvAgkBP4E9-B7Tg6-cD6MHfWPNwU7TwC4s4G-5oYxtDFWmooZvUT_dAxqi5U/s1600/coffee+siggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvt6Vg7_KNHAmoJMImu5feaCqq9fh0rIiSgehKUS1I1HA6ykMUMN8CVFdAA94skxcJp2bJV7D7lTlt900jvAgkBP4E9-B7Tg6-cD6MHfWPNwU7TwC4s4G-5oYxtDFWmooZvUT_dAxqi5U/s1600/coffee+siggy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-79549589886265703062013-12-14T10:13:00.001-05:002013-12-14T10:13:35.266-05:00Feels Like Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVLCsTs5Cpjqjlj1xWk07NdtgF8fKuY8yD0z5nNE7RkdD_jI3RTW3p-yg_AvdctjQBFolOyfeQU8D6ZzXoEbh5brbHyR8B-hnklM8YUI61IqREosLKF1SoNLH2HaT6pDmUEjyaF2vyCX6/s1600/tree+ornaments2013+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVLCsTs5Cpjqjlj1xWk07NdtgF8fKuY8yD0z5nNE7RkdD_jI3RTW3p-yg_AvdctjQBFolOyfeQU8D6ZzXoEbh5brbHyR8B-hnklM8YUI61IqREosLKF1SoNLH2HaT6pDmUEjyaF2vyCX6/s400/tree+ornaments2013+watermark.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><u>I'm feeling much more "Christmas-y" this year...</u></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">It's not the weather where I live because we've had a few hot and humid days in the 80's...</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">It's not the shopping frenzy at the mall because I'm doing most of my shopping online...</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">It's not the aroma from the oven because I don't bake...</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><u>Nevertheless, it feels like Christmas...</u></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it's because we had a crowd for Thanksgiving this year to kick off the holiday spirit...</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5bm3N5_3f2k4PRXyb1Eo_ExfXqfvJZPXGXDnQ_Eh5Pu8r2Rg2EWJhnWgaCwJKHvybM344-it3R-j_pl7To00MTPJU3XCxGZ3udMlSR5c78aZAtsQWzrJ_j5q7dIkQxZ_TOq53I5GMRdC/s1600/tree+angel2013+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5bm3N5_3f2k4PRXyb1Eo_ExfXqfvJZPXGXDnQ_Eh5Pu8r2Rg2EWJhnWgaCwJKHvybM344-it3R-j_pl7To00MTPJU3XCxGZ3udMlSR5c78aZAtsQWzrJ_j5q7dIkQxZ_TOq53I5GMRdC/s200/tree+angel2013+watermark.jpg" width="177" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it's because I like the way my Christmas tree turned out this year...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it's because I know what gifts I want to buy...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it's because I've been watching Hallmark Christmas movies for about two weeks already...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><u>Actually, it's none of those things.</u></span> </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">My Christmas spirit is lifted this year because way back in January I put my complete faith and trust in the Lord and I have no doubts that He is the Lord of my life. </span></strong> <a href="http://dailyblessingsandtreasures.blogspot.com/p/my-testimony.html">CLICK HERE TO READ MY TESTIMONY</a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmZMu0eXuN073zh6vgYHTyFw_C8cHrpTSw4-7lGudVX2BoaJIN2CV1FmUtW4jYLYrWYJaBWQYwn2GfPlu0CI8rKfnbXkIj927aHmn3DD6ny44pwmp7kmAEe14Ibm6gu_7_PsAwyLhPXGm/s1600/bline011.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="24" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmZMu0eXuN073zh6vgYHTyFw_C8cHrpTSw4-7lGudVX2BoaJIN2CV1FmUtW4jYLYrWYJaBWQYwn2GfPlu0CI8rKfnbXkIj927aHmn3DD6ny44pwmp7kmAEe14Ibm6gu_7_PsAwyLhPXGm/s640/bline011.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><u>IT FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS...</u></span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuge4OFpTVTDS_uDIiZw9lBJUt-Gi3-I_8ev4OC1-wVrnOxyauO2nLF1wg4uWjf1QnRN3B2dBYltrLhGZaGixc55xat3wPiPLtarqe7RrJrQIae_oyUPqx9u4x_TqaHeWFFmrtDggqHR-Y/s1600/xms1121.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuge4OFpTVTDS_uDIiZw9lBJUt-Gi3-I_8ev4OC1-wVrnOxyauO2nLF1wg4uWjf1QnRN3B2dBYltrLhGZaGixc55xat3wPiPLtarqe7RrJrQIae_oyUPqx9u4x_TqaHeWFFmrtDggqHR-Y/s400/xms1121.gif" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>... Because when</strong><strong> I read the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2</strong><strong> my heart fills with the love God bestowed on His people by sending His only Son.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>... B</strong><strong>ecause w</strong><strong>hen I hear a Christmas carol I feel joy and can imagine the shepherds hearing stanza and verse rendered by the heavenly host about the Savior of the world.</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMeumxz6xXPmRNlJJ7ohO-JxHHnq0Mu1B25rBnkQukd1XL6KxSvIr8roG_SaYtA2SjEYk179MGtnWZAFt5t1oj7dSpXQXUTvYX80NWH2ddqGJmKBoHNf5mLCOOWbPMF2wYEL1R7Or91FX/s1600/pillow+edit+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMeumxz6xXPmRNlJJ7ohO-JxHHnq0Mu1B25rBnkQukd1XL6KxSvIr8roG_SaYtA2SjEYk179MGtnWZAFt5t1oj7dSpXQXUTvYX80NWH2ddqGJmKBoHNf5mLCOOWbPMF2wYEL1R7Or91FX/s320/pillow+edit+watermark.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>... B</strong><strong>ecause in every Christmas card</strong><strong> I receive I think of the angel's wondrous announcement to a poor young virgin named Mary.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>... B</strong><strong>ecause w</strong><strong>hen I see Christmas lights twinkle and shine I think of the majesty of God in heaven.</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaZ9xywT4Co_lnMEVRukhUXaR3srmpiE46cVn20aV6y1qI0NOju_MWLbGHZWmdeiUaop5vJ1OdusiRHXpgip9Qnni4uoM6xDRSttOWuW0jmysmRaAatiMLAR7lr7v3q6g3JXw9UmKQGeS/s1600/cmskd1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaZ9xywT4Co_lnMEVRukhUXaR3srmpiE46cVn20aV6y1qI0NOju_MWLbGHZWmdeiUaop5vJ1OdusiRHXpgip9Qnni4uoM6xDRSttOWuW0jmysmRaAatiMLAR7lr7v3q6g3JXw9UmKQGeS/s320/cmskd1.gif" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>... B</strong><strong>ecause when I see </strong><strong>gifts wrapped under the Christmas tree I know I have been blessed with the greatest gift of all...</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">JESUS</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"> IMMANUEL</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"> GOD WITH US.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>My prayer is that Jesus is your Savior and you are </em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>having the best Christmas season of all!</em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Merry Christmas!</em></span></strong></div>
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<em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Pamelyn</span></strong></em></div>
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<br />Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-7333538556697377262013-11-26T09:45:00.001-05:002013-11-26T09:45:20.895-05:00THANKFUL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I've been inspired by so many Facebook friends that have been sharing what they are thankful for that I've decided to make a list myself. </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>First and foremost,</em></span> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The God of my salvation</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>And now, in no particular order...</em></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">My family </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">My church family</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">My home</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">God's Holy Word</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Libraries</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">My health</span></strong></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">And finally,</span></em></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Blogging friends like YOU that inspire me</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!</em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-20422047399142268802013-11-21T09:27:00.001-05:002013-11-21T09:27:35.159-05:00It's Always About Jesus<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>It's about JESUS</em> ... </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: large;">IN THE TIME OF BLESSINGS</span></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> Blessings come in many shapes and sizes but they <u>all</u> have one thing in common - <em>they are about Jesus</em>. Spiritual blessings are indeed delightful to the child of God, but when you experience a blessing from Jesus it's important to remember that the blessing is not about the experience, but rather, about Jesus and how He is glorified in that blessings. </span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>It's about JESUS</em> ... </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: large;">IN TIME OF TROUBLES</span></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><strong> It</strong> <strong>may be difficult to see or feel it at the time,</strong> <strong>but</strong> <strong>Jesus is near when we go through times of troubles. What is even more difficult to comprehend is that Jesus can be glorified even though those troubles are the result of our own making. We err from His ways and He is right there ready to forgive us the moment we ask to be forgiven! In asking forgiveness we let go of the hold <em>we think</em> we have on the situation and in faith, we give complete control to Jesus. </strong><strong>It is when, in humility, we ask forgiveness that Jesus</strong><strong> is glorified</strong><strong>.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>It's about JESUS</em> ... </strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>IN ANSWERED PRAYER</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> Every prayer a child of God prays is answered, but it's up to God whether the answer is yes, no, or wait. Sometimes God will answer immediately and other times, far into the future. The timing of answered prayer is up to God. Can you think of a time when you prayed </strong><strong>specifically </strong><strong>for something and God <em>specifically</em> answered your prayer? No doubt you felt elated that God saw fit to bring to pass what you prayed about. In the elation, it's very easy to forget that our prayers are answered in order to bring honor and glory to the Lord. Answered prayer has a two-fold purpose; first, it shows our dependence on God to meet our needs. Secondly, and most importantly, answered prayer brings glory to Jesus as our Advocate, pleading our case before the Heavenly Father. Notice that neither purpose has anything to do with our own honor or glory... </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT JESUS</em>!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Do you know a child of God that is always upbeat, with a smile on their face and encouraging words for others in spite of the fact their personal life is one heartache after another? I believe the secret to their "peace in the midst of chaos" is that they have made a commitment to make everything in their life... </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>ALWAYS ABOUT JESUS</em>!</strong><strong><em> </em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">These Scriptures serve as a reminder to me that my life as a child of God should always be about how to please, honor and glorify Jesus. I pray that they encourage you to be mindful to glorify Jesus' name in your daily walk with Him.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Pamelyn</em></strong></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Every Day Should Be a Thanksgiving Day to the Lord</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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</span></span><br />Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-35423194947437227342013-10-28T10:52:00.001-04:002013-10-28T10:52:58.970-04:00What Is It That HAUNTS Us? (Part 3)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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Read Part 1 <a href="http://dailyblessingsandtreasures.blogspot.com/2013/10/what-is-it-that-haunts-us-part-1.html">HERE</a> & Part 2 <a href="http://dailyblessingsandtreasures.blogspot.com/2013/10/what-is-it-that-haunts-us-part-2.html">HERE</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">One definition of the word <span style="color: red;">"haunt"</span> is to <em>visit frequently</em>.</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Are we haunted by the things in our life that we could of and should of done better, or, by the bad choices we have made?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>In the last two posts we've looked at how </strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>dwelling on past mistakes could: </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>HARM</u> OUR WALK WITH THE LORD...</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>HINDER</u> OUR TESTIMONY ...</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>STEAL</u> OUR JOY...</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>DICTATE</u> HOW WE DEAL </strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>WITH THE </strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>PRESENT</strong> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><em><strong>...now for the 3rd and final part of this series</strong></em></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Looking at the past reminds me of houseguests and the length of time they stay in our home. Contrast the guest that comes for a visit with the one that permanently moves into the guest bedroom! One is a pleasant stay, while the other could put a heavy strain on a relationship! </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>In this, the last part of this series, I want to make the distinction between <em>revisiting</em> and <em>dwelling</em> in the past. I love the way Ruth Graham (the daughter of Billy & Ruth Graham) addresses this in her book, <em><u>In Every Pew Sits A Broken Heart</u></em>,</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>"Revisiting the dark chapters of our lives can be a painful experience...Even glancing in the direction of some of our memories can open up a world of hurt... Yet there are times in life when God gently draws us back to our places of pain and invites us to take another look. He does not call us back to aggravate our wounds or cause us emotional harm. When God calls, He calls with good purpose; and when He urges us back to a hard place, He does so in order to heal us. </em></span></strong> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>WEBSITE: </strong></span> <a href="http://www.ruthgrahamministries.org/">http://www.ruthgrahamministries.org/</a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>and BLOG: </strong></span><a href="http://ruthgraham.wordpress.com/">http://ruthgraham.wordpress.com/</a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">God often will take our minds back to past mistakes in order to teach us </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: large;">valuable spiritual lessons that, quite honestly, we wouldn't learn otherwise. Learning from our mistakes is a positive step in our daily walk with the Lord. These lessons reveal to us just how much the Lord loves us, cares for us, and wants what is best for us. </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>On the other hand, God has never intended His children to dwell in the past. </strong><strong>To <u>dwell</u> means to <em>take up residence in</em>, and like the houseguest making the guestroom his own, it inevitably will lead to disaster. The past cannot be changed no matter how much effort we use trying to make it so. We can benefit from the inspired words Paul wrote:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> <em>"</em></strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, </strong></em></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>I press toward the mark for the prize of the</strong></em></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong> high calling of God in Christ Jesus."</strong></em></span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Philippians 3:13,14</strong></span></span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This is the final truth: Unless God leads you back to learn from the mistakes you've made, leave them in the past. It is my</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> prayer that you will follow the Lord as He leads you <em>away</em> from the past that <span style="color: red;">haunts</span> you and <em>forward</em> in your walk with Him.</span></strong></div>
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Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-84917992678906540352013-10-26T08:29:00.001-04:002013-10-28T10:47:23.486-04:00What is it That HAUNTS Us? (PART 2)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<strong>THIS IS PART 2 OF THE 3-PART SERIES</strong><br />
<strong>Click to read PART 1 <a href="http://dailyblessingsandtreasures.blogspot.com/2013/10/what-is-it-that-haunts-us-part-1.html">HERE</a></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">One definition of the word <span style="color: red;">"haunt"</span> is to <em>visit frequently</em>.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><strong>Are we haunted by the things in our life that we could of and should of done better?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we haunted by the bad choices we have made?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><strong>Do we dwell on our past failures and let them</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>DICTATE</u> HOW WE DEAL </strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>WITH THE PRESENT</strong> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>We've all had low points in our life that we'd just as soon forget. When we look at the flops in our life we become burdened and defeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Wouldn't it be nice if we could say that from <u>every</u> flop in our life </strong><strong>valuable life lessons have been learned </strong><strong>... but, that just isn't realistic.</strong></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><strong> However, what is realistic is that God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us grace and mercy to move past life's failures and even learn from them. Keep in mind, humans do not automatically learn from their mistakes; we need God's help. If you are having trouble letting go of </strong><strong>past mistakes, talk to God about it as you would a trusted friend. Prayer draws us closer to the One that knows exactly what the future holds for us. He is our Refuge and the Calm of every storm. God invites us to <em>"cast all your care upon Him; for He careth for you."</em> (I Peter 5:7). </strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>I like to look at the life of the Apostle Paul as an example of why we should look past the failures in our life. After Paul was saved, he prayed for grace to move past the guilt he felt for persecuting and putting to death many innocent Christians of that day. Like King David in <a href="http://dailyblessingsandtreasures.blogspot.com/2013/10/what-is-it-that-haunts-us-part-1.html">PART 1</a> of this series, he </strong><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">would not allow the past to haunt the present work God had called him to do. </span></strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Both King David and Paul prayed to be released from the guiltiness of their past sins. </strong><strong>God answered their prayers </strong><strong>because they recognized their own weaknesses and trusted God for the strength and perseverance they would need to live past their failures. God would have raised others up to fill their places, but imagine the loss to our spiritual lives had these men allowed these failures to dictate their service to the Lord.</strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Remember, our lives are just as important to God as David and Paul. God wants us to reach forth in His name and be His faithful servants, soul-winners and prayer warriors. He has given us the tools to accomplish what He has called us to do if we will only look to Him and not within ourselves. </strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>My prayer for you is that you will not allow the ghosts of past failures to burden you and hinder you from doing what the Lord is pressing upon your heart to do</strong><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong> RIGHT NOW. </strong></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>PART 3 of this devotion </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>will follow in a few days.....</strong></span></span></div>
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Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-9365921655134519942013-10-24T13:17:00.001-04:002013-10-24T13:17:29.770-04:00What Is It That HAUNTS Us? (PART 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>What <em><span style="color: red;">HAUNTS</span></em> us?</u></span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Perhaps it's</em></span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">past failures...</span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">unresolved anger... regrets...</span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">painful experiences we can't seem to get over. </span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">One definition of the word <span style="color: red;">"haunt"</span> is to <em><u>visit frequently</u></em>.</span></strong> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>We all have occasions when thoughts of past mistakes cross our mind. However, dwelling on our mistakes and allowing them to haunt us day after day ...</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>HARMS</u> OUR WALK WITH THE LORD...</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>HINDERS</u> OUR TESTIMONY ...</span></h3>
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<strong><u>STEALS</u> OUR JOY...</strong></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>In the Second book of Samuel, chapter 11, we find the story of the dreadful sin </strong><strong>King David committed in</strong><strong> taking Bathsheba from her husband Uriah and subsequently, arranging his murder. We know from II Samuel chapter 12 that David deeply regretted what he had done against the Lord and his people. David, to his credit, went to the Lord, confessed his sins, mourned the death of his child <em>and with God's help</em>, was able to move on with his life. Further evidence of his sorrow over this sin can be found in the many Psalms that David wrote, in particular, Psalm 51.</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We might be tempted to think David<em> needed</em> to re-visit this time in his life again and again; if nothing else, to remind himself of his weakness. With help from the Lord, however, David would not allow this regretful and shameful sin to <span style="color: red;">haunt</span> him. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Notice the ways in which David would not allow the past to haunt the present:</span></strong><br />
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<li><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He recognized that he had sinned before God. He knew his life would be meaningless if he did not confess, ask forgiveness, and repent of his sin. </span></strong></li>
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<li><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He was concerned that his actions would hinder him from being the king of Israel that God desired him to be. </span></strong></li>
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<li><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He desperately wanted his joy restored. </span></strong></li>
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<li><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He trusted God to give him the strength to get past this terrible time. </span></strong></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>We are not perfect and we will never live above sin. But, we must not let the past haunt the present. As children of God, we have a heavenly Father that forgives and forgets, <u>if,</u> (<em>and here's our part</em>) we go to Him humbly and ask to be forgiven. He is faithful and just to forgive our sins so that those past mistakes are remembered no more. If we continue to allow ourselves to re-visit the past sins after we've been forgiven, we will be denying that Jesus Christ is our one true </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Advocate and Mediator with our Heavenly Father.</strong></span> <strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>PART 2 of this devotion </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>will follow in a few days.....</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." </strong><strong>1 John 1:9<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></strong></span></span></span>Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-11977965840608003702013-10-07T12:24:00.000-04:002013-10-07T12:24:15.197-04:00That Can't Be Right<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pzJ9JnFzLyVwjPNG37aDhj3WzlRTCtA-kuwbonckrcC1OAHWGRXDa5pX7B6KB-rf_0bi1E_3w_XstMj4bv_jmAefpheuIZRstywxFg3AD-8fvr1gB1xUNfFkbMnau9LfRrJMYX8ZsmVV/s1600/2013_october_printable_calendar_300px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pzJ9JnFzLyVwjPNG37aDhj3WzlRTCtA-kuwbonckrcC1OAHWGRXDa5pX7B6KB-rf_0bi1E_3w_XstMj4bv_jmAefpheuIZRstywxFg3AD-8fvr1gB1xUNfFkbMnau9LfRrJMYX8ZsmVV/s320/2013_october_printable_calendar_300px.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=R4CQWYTv05eBoM&tbnid=ekHJqPoAmc3RJM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imom.com%2Ftools%2Fget-organized%2F2013-printable-calendars%2F&ei=T1NMUrOfLZP2rAGlzYDYCw&bvm=bv.53371865,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNG4GpXjaC4zhnB39QT25wlDWerkFw&ust=1380820154101324">Printable Calendar at IMom.com</a></td></tr>
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OCTOBER?! THAT CAN'T BE RIGHT! </h2>
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I took a deep breath the last day of August </h2>
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and ...<em>poof...</em> September disappeared!</h2>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">When I was younger I would hear the <em>older folks</em> say things like "Where does the time go?" and "Boy, this year has flown by". I'd wonder what calendar they were using because my Monday-Friday workdays were just crawling by. Back then I was much busier and felt a little like Scarlett in that I had decades of time ahead and, <em>after all, tomorrow is another day...</em>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Nom0U75IdiksTWx-OTUvzRV1MPBcuqVMwqvPdsBKpn5pHvitJPGmp67Q6ngGyCP1tdtV2cpfw4aejy_z3zctPNBzkEdtxGLeAqwAd2vROrKHXJ5x6dz_ELZQcq0z3yarRva1mlDVkiA5/s1600/scarlett+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Nom0U75IdiksTWx-OTUvzRV1MPBcuqVMwqvPdsBKpn5pHvitJPGmp67Q6ngGyCP1tdtV2cpfw4aejy_z3zctPNBzkEdtxGLeAqwAd2vROrKHXJ5x6dz_ELZQcq0z3yarRva1mlDVkiA5/s200/scarlett+edit.jpg" width="200" /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Nom0U75IdiksTWx-OTUvzRV1MPBcuqVMwqvPdsBKpn5pHvitJPGmp67Q6ngGyCP1tdtV2cpfw4aejy_z3zctPNBzkEdtxGLeAqwAd2vROrKHXJ5x6dz_ELZQcq0z3yarRva1mlDVkiA5/s1600/scarlett+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"></span></a><span style="color: black;">Well, guess what - I'm the one looking at that <em>older folks' calendar </em>saying "<em>WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?" </em>And asking if it<em> </em>is possible to <em>buy back</em> some of that time I didn't worry about back then? Of course we can't get back the time we've already spent, however, according to Colossians 4:5, we should, <em>"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, </em><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>redeeming the time."</em> </span></strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I like how the Amplified Bible expands this verse:</span> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Behave yourselves wisely - living prudently and with discretion - in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.</span> </span></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Not to ourselves, but for the Lord</span></strong></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;">Instead of buying up more time (which is impossible) we should strive to live our lives wisely, prudently and with discretion, seizing every opportunity of every day to make the day count for the Lord. In this way we will please our Heavenly Father and our relationships with others will honor Him. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">God never asks anyone to do the impossible. If it were not possible for our daily walk to please Him and influence people that need the Lord, His Word would simply not instruct us to do so. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><u>URGENT MATTERS</u></strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">However, there is an urgency about the time we have on this earth. Consider Ephesians 5:16, <span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." </em></strong></span> We are warned that wasting time is a tool the devil uses to side-track God's people in living for ourselves instead of living for Him. Any opportunity that God gives us to serve Him must never be wasted.</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">According to Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, "</span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to His design</span>."</span> (</em><a href="http://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/ephesians/5.htm"><span style="font-size: small;">Commentary Reference</span></a>)</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Another urgency about time is that it is measured and it has a deadline. </span><span style="color: black;">Ecclesiastes 9:10, <em>"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."</em> If we are going to do anything for the Lord it must be now - not later. The thing about Scarlett's philosophy is that we are not promised tomorrow. </span><span class="p"><br /></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>I pray that you will make today, and every day count for the Lord by living according to His plan and purpose for your life</em></span>.</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>~Blessings, </strong><strong>Pamelyn</strong></em></span></div>
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<br />Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-71462338223092562932013-09-24T15:39:00.000-04:002013-09-24T15:39:31.470-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>This little chorus has been stuck in my brain for </em></span></strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>several days now so I thought I'd share it with you</strong>.</span></span> </em><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>I am blessed with many people in my life that I can count on but the message in these words remind me that my faithful Friend, Jesus, is the One I can count on above all others.</em> </span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>I just keep trusting my Lord </em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>as I walk a long</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><strong><em>I just keep trusting my Lord </em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><strong><em>and He gives a song</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><em>o'er the heav'nly trail</em></span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">I just keep trusting my Lord, </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">He will never fail</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">He's a faithful friend,<br />such a faithful friend</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I can count on Him<br /> to the very end</span></span></em></strong></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfKvVyE8XBaum-L5Xrcd8IBmB3SGv20Kd8esWYggG9TX5ovPYQ2uYdHL37ZDBCRw4IaKokTGGayfyMaPnRmxu959KEP-5ylCMRn8pWiTUeBvt0rnSfnhMmis4WRTQqUkci7xX9aJLtkOm/s320/What-A-Friend-We-Have-In-Jesus-819x1024.png" width="254" /></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Though the storm clouds darken the sky <br />o'er the heav'nly trail<br /> I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail</span></em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pFg1ciRgpjgfx6pJFJVWwjycGf0pqxXaTNK_G65VQwFGqmczjqCuO2A80mOSJtYq-bEVj6tOriRTECKzg575h5hO7O_SWNj7FHPEZT3BK4WRtvHxKYCkmXY6ai-VV6avoIYV2q5Q_CCB/s1600/RAIN+FEB+2013+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pFg1ciRgpjgfx6pJFJVWwjycGf0pqxXaTNK_G65VQwFGqmczjqCuO2A80mOSJtYq-bEVj6tOriRTECKzg575h5hO7O_SWNj7FHPEZT3BK4WRtvHxKYCkmXY6ai-VV6avoIYV2q5Q_CCB/s320/RAIN+FEB+2013+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Are you experiencing storm clouds in your life?</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Are you or someone close to you hurting right now?</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Could you just use a hug?</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>Remember, if you know the Lord as Savior, </em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>you have a faithful Friend in Jesus. </em></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbaU-hJvYLNdFuwb9DpQ42TDkgEZQgvF6EZAt9vu5JxoJ6mPLeeqIRNQHKPnT-U-bGLCAeEqWo2jTOHTcmCkWiJ3FUl7O9CIg4QYPD52Vcjsd05F2ATBrfRcWRE0Uf1HrDz3GSxgpNfRu/s1600/psalm+143+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbaU-hJvYLNdFuwb9DpQ42TDkgEZQgvF6EZAt9vu5JxoJ6mPLeeqIRNQHKPnT-U-bGLCAeEqWo2jTOHTcmCkWiJ3FUl7O9CIg4QYPD52Vcjsd05F2ATBrfRcWRE0Uf1HrDz3GSxgpNfRu/s1600/psalm+143+8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PSALM 143:8<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">My prayer today is that you will experience</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"> the love of your faithful Friend, Jesus, in your heart ...</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em></em></strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Blessings, </em></strong><strong><em>Pamelyn</em></strong></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span></em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em> </em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span>Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-3673126856790226262013-09-12T19:28:00.001-04:002013-09-12T19:28:09.936-04:00Creation Color<div style="border: currentColor; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I thought I'd share some pins from my Pinterest board titled <u><em>COLORS</em></u>. </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Yes, I admit, I'm a Pinterest-<em>holic, and here's three reasons why...</em></strong></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshZ8IuoVFstPLNqeMRI2bB3S0gE7oKaPj0CtHUE2sSgbACZB8oaiV_7BBFX5uJ8xL_R7LmQ3RkNvmaq2BmysMBsYC0a_wSVtGgS0XkGxJDDOPmFECAxBuyJ3rbey-01nu5FPz_X2yLZxQ/s1600/2f53540ca154ce74e04c96332033c335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshZ8IuoVFstPLNqeMRI2bB3S0gE7oKaPj0CtHUE2sSgbACZB8oaiV_7BBFX5uJ8xL_R7LmQ3RkNvmaq2BmysMBsYC0a_wSVtGgS0XkGxJDDOPmFECAxBuyJ3rbey-01nu5FPz_X2yLZxQ/s320/2f53540ca154ce74e04c96332033c335.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wanelo.com/">www.wanelo.com</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve1HzVBvbsI44qSXqlU6DsPs-OE6ZLThvCywi79W78SloDuF-tnFhKuATX-H8O7HzC-Ys6e-UOY543g5tNYXkHFVXp72epj25n86k_lJjOeRRFqmal7WXN4LtuylvNZTfW_BSpEAeHON5/s1600/c42ce125e0d0e8e50c31cd04c9c73417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve1HzVBvbsI44qSXqlU6DsPs-OE6ZLThvCywi79W78SloDuF-tnFhKuATX-H8O7HzC-Ys6e-UOY543g5tNYXkHFVXp72epj25n86k_lJjOeRRFqmal7WXN4LtuylvNZTfW_BSpEAeHON5/s320/c42ce125e0d0e8e50c31cd04c9c73417.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixmaniaque/2137700514">www.flickr.com/photos/pixmaniaque/2137700514</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhi9zRyIYwUi9X0Azb4roEaViNwl7dKj7WhCAEURkF-UsSFrRdpPeew7m3UkI9gv4Soyf9YPg2kfiH4mUbSDp5ZxvPv7Su-2qm5WSAu4C77qUBPhwScMeb68FibEXmOUWwFWHsgJLahaQ4/s1600/2ec2e8066f52ea1a33f3f91873fef17c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhi9zRyIYwUi9X0Azb4roEaViNwl7dKj7WhCAEURkF-UsSFrRdpPeew7m3UkI9gv4Soyf9YPg2kfiH4mUbSDp5ZxvPv7Su-2qm5WSAu4C77qUBPhwScMeb68FibEXmOUWwFWHsgJLahaQ4/s320/2ec2e8066f52ea1a33f3f91873fef17c.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blognfool.tumblr.com/post/52453805069">www.blognfool.tumblr.com/post/52453805069</a><br />
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These colorful images inspire me to think of the beautiful seasonal colors in the creative work of God. Even though there's not a lot of change in the seasons here in the Deep South, God blesses me with beauty all year 'round in my little corner of the world. </strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Consider ...</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">the soft pink, lavender and yellow hues of spring;</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qWsfNrF2se5bEy8gqMv9u3qOY-qhOppPP4vh442kmUsRarmqYa3jHeT1qZi-0nV-UcIOnC-S8IAqZslNg2kjNaXSnxDbFW5qH6Y9JPGMc5clRYU_sNqUeFUazEEAClgR8fLQcpgaOz8R/s1600/thCAJKA81W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qWsfNrF2se5bEy8gqMv9u3qOY-qhOppPP4vh442kmUsRarmqYa3jHeT1qZi-0nV-UcIOnC-S8IAqZslNg2kjNaXSnxDbFW5qH6Y9JPGMc5clRYU_sNqUeFUazEEAClgR8fLQcpgaOz8R/s1600/thCAJKA81W.jpg" /></a></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>a brilliant blue sky, bright sunny yellow-orange and <br />fresh green grass of summer;</strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyFlGIg3HVGQewxlA3yalKpA29EjiSP2LiUxKAkfdeVkknptELgg_V1wySHOXQlbfTPlaOpE3Y2QnZ52jlaAt2rii_XmSx6W5y-kD5C64klDoebHjowg0iXDrbhWrxqtRniwHJ2mE412D/s1600/18773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyFlGIg3HVGQewxlA3yalKpA29EjiSP2LiUxKAkfdeVkknptELgg_V1wySHOXQlbfTPlaOpE3Y2QnZ52jlaAt2rii_XmSx6W5y-kD5C64klDoebHjowg0iXDrbhWrxqtRniwHJ2mE412D/s320/18773.jpg" width="320" /></strong></a><strong> </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>the rich leafy brown, red, orange and purple of autumn;</strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPAKZcJl0NA_1fz1IQhavPGtFXpqLJ5Eo9jPifUlsmXMZaCHCOylU1y032b_KbT7KfWzURgppQc4_9J0cu4HYzUX6i_cC0oDB4FNNSXs1Seb6PqD5hiH0mfrcOEE3xRZZ6dxR3brZc5fh/s1600/0d3a8c4691bea5fbaf3b1a7d39bba9f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPAKZcJl0NA_1fz1IQhavPGtFXpqLJ5Eo9jPifUlsmXMZaCHCOylU1y032b_KbT7KfWzURgppQc4_9J0cu4HYzUX6i_cC0oDB4FNNSXs1Seb6PqD5hiH0mfrcOEE3xRZZ6dxR3brZc5fh/s320/0d3a8c4691bea5fbaf3b1a7d39bba9f3.jpg" width="320" /></a></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>the sparkling white snow and frost of winter.</strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrmZxpdoRah9V-vQQ-B1K41uTwModpY444k5pWWhkfzw7fPKIANqEr-L2px_5JqVze0L_47MKkRaf1RL2EztmCO0o9h5SEwJvpntpwAYxDUvSwRrMTTtxDljkegc1V_02-yqaITX8MRyS/s1600/Winter-Sunrise-179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrmZxpdoRah9V-vQQ-B1K41uTwModpY444k5pWWhkfzw7fPKIANqEr-L2px_5JqVze0L_47MKkRaf1RL2EztmCO0o9h5SEwJvpntpwAYxDUvSwRrMTTtxDljkegc1V_02-yqaITX8MRyS/s320/Winter-Sunrise-179.jpg" width="320" /></a></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">... and I think you'll agree, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">God wants us to enjoy His </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">divine color palette!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Pamelyn</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><em>the world, and they that dwell therein.</em> Psalm 24:1</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdORg38IWJvwZbhW05TJsmMFO6r5KkGhm1B6oxOKIZWx_WVG6e27Z7mGguoTuv7RIByW40Z_6AGwsaMwKnI3n17F6xfJvqzjd88-CWvfUeU0gWYsZCN9vCHvquOJKumIQnc9Jp1dPN-O9/s1600/300px-My_Father's_World.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdORg38IWJvwZbhW05TJsmMFO6r5KkGhm1B6oxOKIZWx_WVG6e27Z7mGguoTuv7RIByW40Z_6AGwsaMwKnI3n17F6xfJvqzjd88-CWvfUeU0gWYsZCN9vCHvquOJKumIQnc9Jp1dPN-O9/s640/300px-My_Father's_World.jpg" width="466" /></a></td></tr>
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Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-68635543460652818942013-09-02T16:10:00.000-04:002013-09-02T16:15:30.817-04:00FORSAKE<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>Every time I see an empty and uncared for house I can't help wondering what sad circumstances have led to this beautiful place being abandoned? What could have led the previous owners to forsake their home? </strong></span><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>The</strong> <strong>word <em>forsake</em> usually causes one to think of terrible times in their life when they felt abandoned, rejected and alone. </strong></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>The definition of <em>forsake</em> is </strong><strong><em><span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">1.</span> </span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">quit</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">leave</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">entirely;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">abandon;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">desert:</span> </span></em></strong><strong><em><span class="dnindex"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">2.</span> </span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">give</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">up</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">renounce</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">(a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">habit,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">way</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">life,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">etc.).</span></span></em> </strong></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Hebrews 13:5 & 6, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor <u>forsake</u> thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (KJV)</em></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">The Bible tells us that although </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">He promises to <em>never</em>, <em>no not ever</em> </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">forsake, quit, leave, abandon, desert, </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">give up or renounce His children. </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">If you are a child of God you can rely on this promise because...</span></em> </strong><strong><span style="color: black;">of His relationship to us. Earthly family relationships may become broken but our Heavenly Father will never dis-own us.</span></strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">If you are a child of God you can rely on this promise because...</span></em> <strong></strong><span style="color: black;">the Lord began a work in us at the moment of salvation and His honor binds Him never to forsake us. It will never be said that the Lord left any work of His unfinished, He will accomplish what He started.</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><em>If you are a child of God you can rely on this promise because...</em></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">the past is proof that He will not forsake His own. Any past trial that a child of God has experienced testifies of the future care our Heavenly Father bestows upon us. Not one of His saints has perished into eternity without His hand upon them.</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">If you are a child of God you can rely on this promise because...</span></em> <span style="color: black;">even before we accepted the free gift of salvation, God loved us. Once we are saved we can never be separated from our Savior. It is not something that we do that keeps us secure, rather it is the unmerited love of our Savior that gives us eternal hope.</span></span></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: black;">Romans 8:38 & 39, "<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (KJV)</span></span></em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>There is joy unspeakable in the heart of the child of God because of the assurance of eternal salvation! My prayer for you today is that you have a personal relationship with the Lord that never forsakes His own. If you are not acquainted with the Lord as your personal Savior I would be happy to show you from His Word what you need to do to have this assurance of eternal salvation. Please contact me via email if I can be of help to you.</strong></span><br />
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<span class="spc1"><span class="spc1"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>~Blessings, Pamelyn</strong></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="p"><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hcsb/hebrews/13.htm"></a></span>Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-80496432793996644942013-08-11T14:44:00.001-04:002013-08-11T14:44:17.451-04:00SOOTHING MUSIC FOR THE SAVAGE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Music became a part of my life when I was 12 years old. I'll always be grateful to my </strong><strong>parent's for making sure I was able to take piano lessons. When I got stressed or upset I could always turn to the piano and after five or ten minutes of "attacking" the keys, my emotions would calm down and the music would became more melodious and less aggressive! I've heard the saying "music calms the savage beast" and wondered just where it came from. Turns out t</strong><strong>he actual phrase in modern English is: </strong></span></span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Music has Charms to soothe a savage Breast" and was coined by the Playwright/Poet William Congreve, in The mourning bride, 1697.</span> </strong></span><a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_origin_of_'Music_soothes_the_savage_beast'"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">HERE'S</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the link at Answers.com.</span> </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>WE OFTEN ASSOCIATE MUSIC WITH IMPORTANT EVENTS IN OUR LIVES</u></span> </h2>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Imagine a wedding without music, a parade without a marching band, a graduation commencement without Pomp and Circumstance, a sporting event without the National Anthem, and the U.S. President making a public appearance without "Hail to the Chief".</strong></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>BIBLICAL EXAMPLES</u></span></h3>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>We have wonderful examples of songs of praise and rejoicing by various people of the Bible. These inspired words express in scripture a true understanding of the praise and worship to the Lord.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Exodus 15:20,21</u> Miriam praised the Lord by leading the other women in songs of rejoicing and dancing for the </strong><strong>triumphant </strong><strong>crossing of the Red Sea in the Exodus from Egyptian slavery. </strong></span></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Judges 5:1-31</u> Deborah and Barak sang a song of praise to the Lord for the victory in battle in the land of Canaan.</span></span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong><u>I Samuel 2:1-11</u> Hannah rejoiced and praised the Lord for the birth of Samuel. </strong></span></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Luke 1:46-55</u> Mary's soul magnified the Lord that she was chosen to give birth to the Messiah.</span></span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Music can often change the emotional state of an individual. In <u> I Samuel 16:14-23</u> David's harp-playing led him to the palace in an effort to soothe </strong><strong>the evil (distressed) spirit of King Saul. However, in <u>I Samuel 18:5-11</u> King Saul's jealous rage exploded when the women sang a song that <em>"Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands"</em> in <em>"the slaughter of the Philistines".</em></strong></span></span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Other songs in scripture include the Song of Moses and Joshua (Deuteronomy 32:1-47), the Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-21), and the Song of David (2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18). There are many other prayers recorded in scripture that could also be considered songs.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>The Book of Psalms is by far the largest collection of songs in God's Word and is often referred to as the Bible's Hymn Book. Reading the Psalms will always bring joy, comfort, encouragement and blessing to God's people. </strong><strong>The following is a quote from the introduction to the book of Psalms in my King James Study Bible: </strong></span></span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="background-color: yellow; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"If one word could be chosen to describe the book of Psalms, certainly "praises" would qualify, for there is no psalm that does not contain an element of praise."</span></em></span></strong></blockquote>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">King David wrote the majority of the psalms in the Bible. Other authors include Moses, Asaph, Solomon, Heman, and Ethan. Sixty-one psalms are anonymous and twelve are assigned to "The Sons of Korah". </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The most important part of a church worship service is the preaching of the Word. It is the preaching of God's Word that convicts the soul. Music speaks to the emotional uplifting of the Word. The modern world has brought many types of music and musical instruments into church worship services. I'm always sadden to hear that a person has stopped attending their church services simply because they don't like the music. The songs of the Bible should be our guide for the music in our church's worship service. It should always be according to scripture and glorify the Lord.</span> </span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">My prayer is that you will be encouraged to fill your life with music that brings honor and glory to the matchless name of Jesus. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Blessings, Pamelyn</span></em></strong></span></strong></div>
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Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-10526875122508232272013-08-04T15:52:00.003-04:002013-08-04T15:52:52.642-04:00FINDING YOUR SPOT<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixY32Q4ryaQo9z9XPM9KVr7U74OeW34ibMohUtYsSSuFUTExJlimAjs2JzM3OP6RjujHjQLn0PotHsATzKTXjukl2rWy7LDg_Kr0SOiqBG3tmcE7w0sOxM_nYi3TbUK81hPbcNooji-9v/s1600/c711fc5088a0d9df7274157a01d70ff6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixY32Q4ryaQo9z9XPM9KVr7U74OeW34ibMohUtYsSSuFUTExJlimAjs2JzM3OP6RjujHjQLn0PotHsATzKTXjukl2rWy7LDg_Kr0SOiqBG3tmcE7w0sOxM_nYi3TbUK81hPbcNooji-9v/s320/c711fc5088a0d9df7274157a01d70ff6.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall river, Brannockstown, Kildare, Ireland<br />
A beautiful spot!</td></tr>
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<strong><em>O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me<br />Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.<br />Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.<br />For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.<br />Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.<br />Psalm 139:1-5</em></strong></div>
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<strong>There is an old joke in our family about <em>"finding your spot".</em> It involves an exasperated dad preparing for a four hour road trip on a hot summer day with his three young sons. The boys needed some strong encouragement to "find their spot" in the backseat of the car. As in most stressful situations, it was not funny at the time but we often chuckle about it now that those sons are grown and their dad has mellowed with age. The dad in the story is one of my brothers and he was attempting to bring some order to the chaos. <span style="line-height: normal;">God has an order to everything and I'm sure it grieves Him when we rebel in wanting to be in a place of our making without regard to Him and His will. God has a place, or spot, for all of His children. We must realize that our "spot" is not necessarily a physical location, however, it is a spiritual one. God divinely sets a place for each one of His children and He expects us to stay in that place until He tells us to move. No two spiritual spots are the same but they all point in the same direction - toward our Lord and Savior. </span><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; line-height: normal;">Reading Psalm 139:1-5 assures me that God has perfect knowledge of me. He knows where I've been, where I am now, and where I'll be in the future. I can trust that in whatever spot the Lord places me it will be for my good and His will. The Psalmist David declared in verse 6 that those thoughts simply "<em>too wonderful for me</em>." </span></span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">We can only be pleasing to the Lord if we do </span></h2>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">His will </span><span style="color: #38761d;">in His way; </span></h2>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">which begs the question:</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><u>HOW DO WE FIND OUR "SPOT" IN THE LORD'S WILL?</u></span></h2>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can think of three steps that will help point us in the right direction:</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The first step must be to PRAY. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> It seems so simple, but to ignore praying to God about </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">finding His will in our lives is like driving a car </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">without a steering wheel - there's no telling where you might end up. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Navigating our lives on our own only gets us nowhere fast!</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong></strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Once we've prayed, the next step</strong> <strong>is to FIND OUT WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> An idea in our mind may not agree with what the Bible instructs. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> God's Word is inspired and designed for His children to read and study. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> I like the look of a worn Bible because it tells me that the owner frequently consults its pages. If we want to know where </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>our "spot" in the Lord's will is </strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>we must pay</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> attention to His instructions.</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Having prayed and studied His Word, the final step is to OBEY. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> This requires action by faith on our part, and this is where so many Christians get stuck <em>(myself especially).</em> We know what God has impressed on our hearts to do and we know we cannot please Him without doing His will but we lack the courage to follow through. Our Sunday School lesson for this week is about David and Goliath. God led David to the place where he met Goliath but we often miss the fact that David actually RAN toward the giant! David was in such a hurry to meet the challenge he had to load his slingshot on the way! (I Samuel 17:48-50). The secret to David's ability is the fact that he acknowledged that the battle was not his but the Lord's. God blessed David with the courage, confidence and weapons he needed to defeat the giant and He will do the same for me when I simply obey.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>The Lord's hand is upon us when we agree with Him about where and how we are to serve. He calls us first to salvation and then to serve Him in a local, scriptural church. We bring honor and glory to the Lord when our service is through one of His churches. The Lord has blessed us with abilities and talents that are uniquely designed for us to be used in the "spot" He has called us to. </strong></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>May the Lord bless you as you seek to do His will in your "spot".</strong></span><br />
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<strong><em>Blessings, Pamelyn</em></strong></div>
Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-51954097325270999932013-07-22T13:56:00.000-04:002013-07-22T13:56:00.634-04:00HURRY UP! and WAIT<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Have you heard the expression, <u>"Hurry up, and Wait"?</u> An example would be when we've rushed to be on time for an appointment, only to sit and wait to actually see the person we were scheduled to meet. Usually our level of frustration coincides with the length of time we are expected to wait! I don't usually mind waiting if I have a book to read or a Sudoku puzzle, otherwise, waiting is a challenge! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>It is no secret that w</b></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">e are an </b><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">impatient people. We </b><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">are so accustom to the fastest pace possible- <i>fast food, fast transportation, high speed internet connections, immediate care medical facilities, microwave ovens, etc. </i>Many people feel that ANY wait time is wasted time. </b><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's hard to imagine that wait time is designed by the Lord and is vital if our primary desire is to follow Him.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Lord is faithful to hear and answer the prayers of His children. His answers will be either YES, NO or WAIT. As a believer, the Lord will put us in His divine "waiting room". Rather than becoming impatient, the Holy Spirit will guide us to His Word for the instruction we need on how to wait on Him. The Lord is aware that we do not like to wait, so, in His wisdom He gave us His Word to guide us. The Lord also knew we would need help in understanding the purpose in waiting on Him to answer our prayers. </b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Isaiah 8:17a,<i> "And I will wait upon the Lord..."</i></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>...FOR POWER FROM ON HIGH</u><u>.</u></span></h2>
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Luke 24:49<i>, And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry (wait) ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."</i></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Any promise from the Lord is worth waiting for. </b></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Would you like to have the power of the Lord in your life? </b><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wait for it! </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Lamentations 3:25<i>,26 "The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord."</i></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Lord's goodness is promised to those that not only </b><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">place their hope in the Lord, </b><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">but <i>quietly</i> wait for Him to do His will. </b></div>
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<u><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...FOR INSTRUCTION TO PROCEED.</span></u></h2>
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Psalm 25:5<i>, "Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me; for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day."</i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>If we attempt to go ahead of the Lord we are in danger of promoting our own will before the will of the Lord. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The Lord's timing is very different from ours. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>He knows all there is to know about everything from the beginning to the end. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Trusting the Lord's timing will always place us in the center of His will.</b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Lord speaks to us through prayer and reading His Word, therefore,</b><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">wait time is never idle time</b></div>
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<u><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...FOR DELIVERANCE FROM DIFFICULTIES</span></u></h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Proverbs 20:22<i>, " Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and He shall save thee."</i></span></b><br />
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<b>Psalm 130:5-6<i>, "I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning; I say, more than they that watch for the morning."</i></b></span><br />
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<b>Micah 7:7<i>, "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."</i></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because the Lord knows everything, He knows the difficulties and stresses that come into our lives from time to time.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To me, </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the hardest time in life is </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">waiting and watching for the Lord to intervene in difficult times. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We want relief as quickly as possible. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's hard to understand why we must wait for the answers when we have earnestly and sincerely prayed for deliverance. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's in these times that our faith is tested and we need those prayer warriors in our lives to pray with us. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The one thing we can hold to is that the Lord loves us and cares more for us than anyone else. We are never alone in our difficulty. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He will always see us through the pain and bring us to a brighter day.</span></b></div>
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<u><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...FOR BLESSINGS TO COME.</span></u></h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Isaiah 30:18, <i>"And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you; for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him."</i></span></b><br />
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<b>Hosea 12:6<i>, "Therefore turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually."</i></b></span><br />
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<b>I Thessalonians 1:10<i>, "And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."</i></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Waiting on the Lord is always rewarded. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The assurance of every believer is that the God we serve is the God alone. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is in His power that we live and breathe and have our being (Acts 17:28). </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Lord is our only source for true blessings, and those blessings are always worth the wait.</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTJn6r9deCu7kSY9A-hik_sfv3vmR0zJPn_xAH4J2dlHfbblIwpqkrPecQHrwiG757yS5QGsa-90p5LSylE7gP7IgqAN4ZIqgshqb0GiKdE9y4hqzSeZWEEJZOwTa9FN1t0ZfcepiPznV/s1600/Wait+for+the+Lord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTJn6r9deCu7kSY9A-hik_sfv3vmR0zJPn_xAH4J2dlHfbblIwpqkrPecQHrwiG757yS5QGsa-90p5LSylE7gP7IgqAN4ZIqgshqb0GiKdE9y4hqzSeZWEEJZOwTa9FN1t0ZfcepiPznV/s400/Wait+for+the+Lord.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;">...for power from on high, <br />...for instruction to proceed, <br />...for deliverance from difficulties, <br />...and for His blessings to come</span><span style="color: #783f04;">.</span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: inherit;">My prayer is that the Lord will grant you His mercy and grace if you are in a "waiting room" for answers to your prayers.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>`<i>Blessings, Pamelyn</i></b></span></div>
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<br />Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-53945337865463617162013-07-16T12:18:00.001-04:002013-07-16T12:43:13.244-04:00Tabitha, aka Dorcas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgvKY6DL4W5fz2SYNjqYHpJzYOmH9wtW5QwDF50AA5RAyLWG0vmrq3FUsBjCnw1CxtfBtSafQ7xPBFp_9FpXUHacmRtrQM1ycmReYwha7DLezVhioGr1abZuzFwQ0w6uhPzUINZuUUKT2/s1600/Tabitha+paint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgvKY6DL4W5fz2SYNjqYHpJzYOmH9wtW5QwDF50AA5RAyLWG0vmrq3FUsBjCnw1CxtfBtSafQ7xPBFp_9FpXUHacmRtrQM1ycmReYwha7DLezVhioGr1abZuzFwQ0w6uhPzUINZuUUKT2/s320/Tabitha+paint.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>The Bible gives us a clear portrait of a Godly woman in Acts 9:36-43. Her Hebrew name was Tabitha, but she was also known by her name in Greek, Dorcas. Both names mean a gazelle, or graceful creature. The Bible tells us she </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>lived in the </b></span><b style="text-align: center;">seacoast town of Joppa, she was </b><b style="text-align: center;">a <i>certain</i> disciple of Jesus, and she was </b><b style="text-align: center;">full of good works and almsdeeds. </b><b>Did you notice that her physical appearance is omitted from her description in the scriptures? The Lord always places emphasis on the inner person rather than the outward appearance.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Tabitha is distinguished in the Bible for her acts of kindness to the poor. Not only did she give charity (alms), she was a great <u>doer</u> of charitable works (almsdeeds). Naturally, the people of Joppa were devastated when this great lady became sick and died. They sent two men to a nearby town to bring the Apostle Peter in hopes God would raise her from the dead. When Peter arrived he was shown to the room where the body of Tabitha lay. The poor widows that Tabitha had cared for were now weeping and heartbroken over the loss of this dear woman. They began showing Peter the clothing that Tabitha had made for them. As the man of God, Peter used this opportunity to further the cause of Christ in that place. Peter believed in the God that had power over life and death. He put the weeping widows out of the room, knelt down and prayed for God to intervene. Aloud Peter said, "Tabitha, arise". She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up! Peter then led her from that cold room of mourning into the warm and loving arms of the widows and saints that had been so grieved at her passing. But v</b><b>erse 42 reveals the true reason Tabitha was raised from death: <i>"And it was known throughout all Joppa; and <u>many believed in the Lord.</u>"</i> Tabitha honored God in every aspect of her life and God honored her by lengthening her life. Her life and her arising from death were instrumental in bringing many lost people to salvation in her hometown.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>There are so many lessons to be learned from the story of </b><b>Tabitha; however, I want to focus on how she used her talents to honor the Lord. </b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Lord bestows talents to every one of His children.</span> </b></h3>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are a child of God, you have at least one talent that is unique to you. Finding that talent and then using it in His service is where the real blessings of life come. You see, God gives the talent and then leaves it up to us whether we use it for His honor and glory. The Bible teaches that the more you use the talent God gives, the more you will receive. In the reverse, not using the talent God gives will result in the loss of that talent. (Matthew 25:14-29).</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The proper use of one's talents pleases the Lord. </span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Talents must be used for God's glory and the benefit of others in order to please the Lord. </b><b>At the heart of this story, Tabitha pleased the Lord by using her sewing talent for the benefit of those less fortunate than herself. </b><b>It's possible she could have made a very good living for herself as a seamstress. However, she chose to give her garments to the poor and depend on God to supply her needs. </b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Using one's talents reveals a servant's heart.</span></b></h3>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lord uses those of His children that are willing to do what they can for others. The Lord doesn't expect anyone to do more than they are capable of doing. However, a servant's heart will go the extra mile to help others with faith in the Lord that He will supply whatever is necessary to accomplish the task. I picture Tabitha as a busy woman, always looking for ways to use her talent. I see her as anything but an idler or time-waster! (Something I could use some help with!) </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">The Lord can use simple talents to do great things in His name.</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The wonderful lesson about Tabitha is that I don't believe she ever expected any praise for herself. The talents shared by an humble person are always noticed by the Lord and rewarded. M</b><b>ay the Lord bless you abundantly as you look for ways to encourage others by sharing with them a talent God has given you</b><b>.</b><b> </b></span></div>
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<b> ~Blessings, Pamelyn</b></div>
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<dd></dd><br />Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-1857431920493017922013-07-10T09:44:00.001-04:002013-07-10T09:44:19.030-04:00Priority One: JESUS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> What's the first thing you do when you open your eyes from sleep each morning; before your feet hit the floor and the demands of the day take control of your thoughts? Do you thank JESUS for the night's rest and the new day? I've never been much of a morning person but I've been trying to make a conscious effort to give JESUS my first thought every morning. It is a work in progress.... </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Consider Matthew 6:31-34</span></b></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Therefore take no thought, saying, </span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What shall we eat? or, </span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What shall we drink? or, </span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wherewithal shall we be clothed?</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b>( For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: ) </b></i></div>
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<i><b>for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>But seek ye first the kingdom of God, </b></i><i></i><br />
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<i><i><b>and His righteousness; </b></i></i></div>
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<i><b>and all these things shall be added unto you.</b></i></div>
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<b> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> These verses are part of a sermon Jesus preached to His followers during His earthly ministry. His message is as needful today as it was 2,000 or more years ago. It's all about JESUS being in </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the place He deserves, </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">which is </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ahead of everything else, as <span style="color: red;"><u>Priority One</u></span>.</span></b><br />
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<b> <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To understand more of what Jesus is teaching consider the preceding verses, in particular verses 24-30. The clear truth is that we cannot serve the Master of the universe <i>and</i> the master of material possessions. We are told to take a lesson from the birds and the lilies. Neither of God's creations worry about buying and storing food or provisions nor how they look to others. God has placed within </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">all His created beings </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the need to depend on Him to sustain their life. Birds and lilies exhibit total dependence on the One that created them. Of all the created beings, only humans feel the need to deny their dependence on His glorious care. It's simple logic that if God shows such great care for birds and lilies, how much more care will He bestow on His dear children!</span></b><br />
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<b> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God, in His infinite wisdom and love, gave humans something He did not give the birds and lilies ~ the capacity and freedom to make good, as well as bad, choices. Because all of our choices have consequences, the very first <u>good</u> choice a person should make is to accept the free gift of salvation by the blood of Jesus. This choice ensures that we can please the Lord with our service, as well as have an eternal home in heaven with our Lord and Savior. Once saved, the child of God does not lose the capacity nor the freedom to make good and bad choices. The choices we make do not take away the salvation of our soul; however, they do affect our relationship with our heavenly Father. As a child of God, it is important to ask ourselves: </span></b><br />
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<b> Do I give Him complete control of my life?</b></div>
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<b>Are my decisions based on His will and not mine? </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Is Jesus my priority? </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember, God leads His children in a path that is in our best interest and for our good. Making a conscious effort to be grateful for all the blessings He gives, reading His Word daily and praying to Him about every decision and choice we make will help us keep <span style="color: red;">JESUS as Priority One </span>in our lives.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">~Blessings, Pamelyn</span></i></div>
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Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-33237207813050168112013-07-05T16:25:00.001-04:002013-07-05T16:25:37.811-04:00JUNE 30, 1963 ~ MARKING A MILESTONE<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">Circa 1963-64</span></b></td></tr>
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<b>One of the things that makes a family special to each other is their family history and the milestones that are important to them. To most people, <span style="color: red;"><u>June 30th, 1963</u></span> was probably an ordinary day, but to our family it meant the beginning of many blessings.</b><br />
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<b>Last Sunday, June 30th, marked the 50th year anniversary of my Dad surrendering to preach. In 1963 my parents had been married 6-1/2 years and had 3 children. June 30th of that year fell on a Sunday and we were in services at a Baptist church on the west coast of South Florida. During the invitation of that service my Mom was saved and later that afternoon my Dad answered the call to surrender his life to preach. I was 5-1/2 years old at the time and my only remembrance is a lot of crying going on with my parents. However, I was OK with the emotional upheaval because in spite of the tears it seemed to me to be a happy time. All in one day my Dad's career changed and we began making plans to move so Dad could enroll in Seminary. </b><b>I've always loved the fact that my Dad and I started the first grade together ~ he in Seminary and me in public school. </b><b>My Dad has been the Pastor of 6 churches in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. Dad will never consider himself “retired” from preaching God's Word; however, he retired from pastoring in </b><b>June 2008 due to health concerns. </b><br />
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<b>God has richly blessed our family. My Dad's surrender to the Lord's call made a difference in my life. The years were not always easy for my parents but God always saw fit to provide for our family in tremendous ways. (He still does, by the way!) Whenever there was a need, God never failed to supply! </b><br />
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<b>I don't want to leave our Mom out of this tribute. A lot of times the Preacher's Wife is the unsung hero of the story. I think back on the fact that my Mom became a preacher's wife on the same day she got saved. She truly had no time to sit and ponder the changes about to take place in her life. She will tell you that only the grace of God helped her through those times when she felt overwhelmed. </b><br />
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<b><b>I am so very proud of my parents for the total commitment and sacrifices they made 50 years ago. I am so blessed to have grown up in a Christian home and to be a PK (preacher's kid). Dad and Mom have slowed down a bit in recent years - he will be 78 in September and she will be 75 in August, but they continue to serve the Lord as they committed to do all those years ago. <span style="font-size: 19px;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am so thankful to the Lord for calling my Dad to be a preacher of the gospel. </span></b></b></div>
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<b><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blessings, <i>Pamelyn</i></span></b></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><i>"Preach the Word; </i></span></b></div>
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<b><i>rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." </i></b></div>
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<br />Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-62969421536068864932013-05-09T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-09T08:00:12.754-04:00Refresh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>I'm contemplating buying a new computer. My current computer has been a good one, but the time has come to upgrade. I've noticed that I've been having to use that little <span style="color: blue;">REFRESH</span> key more often. I like how it works ~ the computer gets stuck, or freezes up, and by pressing the refresh key --<em>eventually,</em> the system is revived<em>.</em> I got to thinking about getting stuck or freezing up in my Christian life. Where's my <span style="color: blue;">REFRESH</span> key? All believers go through times when all is not well in our spiritual life. I believe the Bible teaches that once you are saved you are always saved, but because we are human and the nature to sin is still within us, we have the need to be renewed and refreshed. Our walk may not be as close to God as it once was and we simply need to "get back on track" with the Lord.</strong><br />
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<strong>Lack of Bible study and prayer, unconfessed sin in your heart, and slackness in church attendance are among the most common reasons why a believer needs refreshing. It is so simple to<em> <u>say,</u> "</em>I'm going to do better", but as we all know, there is great difficulty in actually doing better. As much as we may want to, we cannot restore ourselves. Restoring and refreshing is God's work. We must, however, place ourselves in a position so that the Lord can restore and refresh our walk with Him. I've listed three <span style="color: blue;">REFRESH KEYS</span> that may be helpful in getting ourselves back on track with the Lord. </strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><u> REFRESH KEY #1</u></strong></span></div>
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<strong>King David experienced a time when his spiritual life needed some refreshing. Psalm 51 records his pleading to God to restore the fellowship he once had with God the Father. </strong><strong>The first refresh key is for the believer to <span style="color: blue;">PRAY</span>. David poured his heart out to the Lord and confessed his sin. As I read this psalm I can feel the desperation in his heart. David was not ashamed to say, "Lord, I really messed up this time, please help me." David's sin was not a secret to God. He already knew about it and was patiently waiting for David to confess so He could forgive him. God promises to treat all of His children the same. Don't ever be too ashamed to tell God you messed up.</strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><u>REFRESH KEY #2</u></strong></span></div>
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<strong>The next refresh key is <span style="color: blue;">READ YOUR BIBLE</span>. I know I sound like a broken record because I repeat this in a lot of my posts. It is because I feel strongly that believers are missing out on so much by not taking time to read God's Word. There is power in God's Word for the believer; that power is made available to the believer when God's Words are hidden in your heart. </strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><u>REFRESH KEY #3</u></strong></span><br />
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<strong>The last refresh key is <span style="color: blue;">FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BELIEVERS</span>. Equally important as prayer and bible reading to refreshing a believer's heart is being with other believers. Sharing our burdens with others helps to restore and refresh our spiritual life. Jesus established His church during His earthly ministry so that we could bring honor and glory to Him. But He also knew that fellowship among believers was vital to the Christian life as a support system. The worse thing one can do when going through spiritual difficulties is to become slack in church attendance. In essence you are denying yourself the love and support of fellow believers. Our pastor and his wife have a 2 year old daughter who calls going to church <em>home</em>. She walked in church the other day with her mother, saw her best friend and said, "See Mommy, she's home." Such wisdom in that! I pray that the church you are a member of is <em>home</em> to you.</strong></div>
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<strong>These three keys are important to me personally, but perhaps you have others that help you in your daily walk. I look forward to hearing what keeps you on track with the Lord.</strong><br />
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<strong>~Blessings,</strong></div>
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<strong>Pamelyn</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>Source: King James Version</u></span></div>
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Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-15607842909237596012013-05-07T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-07T08:00:07.996-04:00God's Grace {God's Perfect and Glorious Character}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #666666;"><strong>Over the next few days I'd like to explore five attributes of God's </strong></span><span style="color: #666666;"><strong>perfect and glorious character.</strong></span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">God's Word, His Goodness, His Wrath, His Love, His Grace</span></span></em></h4>
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<u>Today we'll explore GOD'S GRACE</u></h2>
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<strong>Several years ago I wrote the definitions of three words in the cover of my Bible: </strong></div>
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<strong><em>JUSTICE</em>: getting just what I deserve.</strong></div>
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<strong><em>MERCY</em>: NOT getting what I deserve.</strong></div>
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<strong><em>GRACE</em>: getting what I do not deserve.</strong></div>
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<strong>For me, writing out those definitions helped distinguish the significance of the three. To be sure, when it comes to God's judgment, I definitely don't want justice. I deserve to be condemned for my sins ~ but I rejoice in the fact that instead of justice, God has given me His mercy and His grace. </strong></div>
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<strong>We often group Grace and Mercy together as meaning practically the same thing. However, they are two distinct and wonderful things. Mercy assures me that because I am a child of God, I will not get the eternal separation from God that I deserve. Grace is the act of God to give me more than I actually deserve. But, putting them together is like chocolate icing on a brownie! Wonderful no matter how you slice it ...</strong></div>
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<strong><u>Webster defines grace this way:</u> "<em>The exercise of love, kindness, mercy, favor; disposition to benefit or serve another; favor bestowed or privilege conferred. The divine favor toward man; the mercy of God, as distinguished from His justice; also, any benefits His mercy imparts; divine love or pardon; a state of acceptance with God; enjoyment of the divine favor." </em></strong></div>
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It is God's power that enables Him, and Him alone, to bestow grace as He wishes. </h3>
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It is God's prerogative to share grace as He wishes.</h3>
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It is God's pleasure to extend grace to His own.</h3>
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<strong><a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=3FeIEomCHj_C-M&tbnid=JPEAhHYCv1PsJM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tonjasgatherings.com%2F2011%2F09%2F&ei=-o9-Ua3MDcPE0gG6tYDwAg&bvm=bv.45645796,d.dmQ&psig=AFQjCNG2yZGFbJVAWkRDXzkreCt_EJ6xFQ&ust=1367335029963164" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor;"></a></strong> </div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><strong>Titus 2:11-14,</strong> <em><strong>"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."</strong></em></span></div>
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<strong>All people are afforded salvation because of the grace of God. It is not exclusive to one group, it is extended to all mankind. Because of the grace of God, we have hope for His appearing in our future. Without hope grace would mean nothing to a lost and dying world. </strong></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Ephesians 2:8-10, "<em>For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."</em></span></strong></div>
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<strong>Think of it, grace is a gift to you and me from the Almighty God. The individual that refuses this gift will doom themselves to eternal separation from the God that loves them.</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WTkKRyAU0wH3x9HZSmTCVDWpW13XkCtPotOUNZ30ZDKOYG6Qo0y10eXY3JXdE8ODEjLqo_KG4S_wCSnEMGO6tKDlURGtDXiShFBF_n5WdjZI7L6a9g7nlXLF7sydstgL7V36Y0Sf0mH_/s1600/heart-flourish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WTkKRyAU0wH3x9HZSmTCVDWpW13XkCtPotOUNZ30ZDKOYG6Qo0y10eXY3JXdE8ODEjLqo_KG4S_wCSnEMGO6tKDlURGtDXiShFBF_n5WdjZI7L6a9g7nlXLF7sydstgL7V36Y0Sf0mH_/s320/heart-flourish.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;"><strong>James 4:6, <em>"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."</em></strong></span></div>
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<strong>God's grace comes to us in degrees, according to our needs at the time. His grace is sufficient for whatever is needed. There is always an abundance of God's grace.</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WTkKRyAU0wH3x9HZSmTCVDWpW13XkCtPotOUNZ30ZDKOYG6Qo0y10eXY3JXdE8ODEjLqo_KG4S_wCSnEMGO6tKDlURGtDXiShFBF_n5WdjZI7L6a9g7nlXLF7sydstgL7V36Y0Sf0mH_/s1600/heart-flourish.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WTkKRyAU0wH3x9HZSmTCVDWpW13XkCtPotOUNZ30ZDKOYG6Qo0y10eXY3JXdE8ODEjLqo_KG4S_wCSnEMGO6tKDlURGtDXiShFBF_n5WdjZI7L6a9g7nlXLF7sydstgL7V36Y0Sf0mH_/s320/heart-flourish.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This brings us to the end of my series on exploring the attributes of God's character. Thank you for taking the time to visit. I hope that these attributes have inspired you to study more about the awesome God we serve.</span></strong></div>
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<strong>Blessings, </strong><strong>Pamelyn</strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: King James Bible</span></div>
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Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-4144851623634489682013-05-05T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-05T08:00:01.270-04:00God's Love {God's Perfect and Glorious Character}<em><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial;"></span></em><br />
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<em><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #666666;"><strong>Over the next few days I'd like to explore five attributes of God's </strong></span><span style="color: #666666;"><strong>perfect and glorious character.</strong></span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">God's Word, His Goodness, His Wrath, His Love, His Grace</span></span></em></h4>
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Today we'll explore GOD'S LOVE</h2>
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<b>Where would I begin to describe a subject as vast as the love of God? It is impossible for our human minds to comprehend the depths of God's Love for mankind. He loved us in Creation and He loves us still. He <i>does not </i>love our sins, but He loves us. </b></div>
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<strong>To me, one of the most descriptive of all hymns is </strong><strong>"The Love of God", written by F. M. Lehman.</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/l/e/lehman_fm.htm"><strong>HERE</strong></a> <strong>is some information on this songwriter. </strong></div>
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<strong>Take a moment and allow your mind to focus on the words of this hymn. </strong></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong><u>The Love of God</u></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong><em>O love of God, how rich and pure!</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong><em> How measureless and strong!</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong><em> It shall forevermore endure</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong><em> The saints’ and angels’ song.</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>The love of God is greater far</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Than tongue or pen can ever tell;</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>It goes beyond the highest star,</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>And reaches to the lowest hell;</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>The guilty pair, bowed down with care,</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>God gave His Son to win;</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>His erring child He reconciled,</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>And pardoned from his sin.</strong></span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">When years of time shall pass away,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">When men, who here refuse to pray.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">On rocks and hills and mountains call,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">God's love so sure, shall still endure,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">All measureless and strong;</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Redeeming grace to Adam's race--</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">The saints' and angels' song.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>The 3rd Stanza has a very interesting history</strong></span>. <a href="https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1950/09/the-story-of-the-love-of-god"><strong>READ THE STORY HERE</strong></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Could we with ink the ocean fill,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">And were the skies of parchment made,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Were every stalk on earth a quill,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">And every man a scribe by trade,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">To write the love of God above,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Would drain the ocean dry.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Nor could the scroll contain the whole,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Though stretched from sky to sky. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Consider these points about God's Love:</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">God's Love Began in Heaven</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">God's Love Brought the Best of Heaven to Us<br />God's Love Has Prepared Us for Heaven<br />God's Love Is Preparing Heaven for Us<br />God's Love Will Bring His Prepared People to the Prepared Place</span></strong></div>
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<strong>How blessed is the treasure of knowing with a certainty that God's love is present in one's heart! It has been said, and I believe it, that a person cannot truly love another unless the love of Jesus is in your heart through salvation. I've felt this very thing. Before I was saved I had deep affection for family and friends, but it was only after my salvation that I have been able to share the pure love that Jesus bestows on me with others.</strong> <strong>There is no greater love for me than the love I know from my Savior and Redeemer. My prayer is that you too know the love of Jesus in your heart.</strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Reference scriptures</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I John 4:7-21</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">John 3:16</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I Corinthians 13:8</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">II Corinthians 5:1</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">John 14:1-4</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">John 10</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">John 17</span></strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Next time we'll explore God's Grace...</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span></strong> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Blessings, Pamelyn</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: King James Bible</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <em>The Love of God,</em> LEHMAN, F.M., 1917</span></strong></span><br />
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Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8704021042571767835.post-11141790475206355102013-05-03T08:00:00.000-04:002013-05-03T08:00:01.794-04:00God's Wrath {God's Perfect and Glorious Character}<em><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial;">
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<em><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #666666;"><strong>Over the next few days I'd like to explore five attributes of God's </strong></span><span style="color: #666666;"><strong>perfect and glorious character.</strong></span></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">God's Word, His Goodness, His Wrath, His Love, His Grace</span></span></em></h4>
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<u>Today we'll explore GOD'S WRATH</u></h2>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We cannot study God's perfect and glorious character without taking a moment to explore His wrath and judgment. We define wrath as "violent anger, fury, vengeance and revenge". However, God's perfect character is never revengeful. We must never attempt to give God any human characteristics, therefore, His wrath must be defined as "divine displeasure against sin". It is important for every child of God to know that God's wrath is necessary, it is just and it is righteous.</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: red; color: white;">God's wrath is necessary because of sin</span></h2>
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<i><b>"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven </b></i></div>
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<i><b>against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, </b></i></div>
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<i><b>who hold the truth in unrighteousness"</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Romans 1:18</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Sin causes God's wrath to be revealed because it separates a person from God. God's desire is for His children to serve Him in every way. Though God is full of grace and mercy, He will not overlook willful disobedience and sinfulness.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: red; color: white;">God's wrath is just</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Almost daily we hear about injustices committed against someone. With God there is never any injustice. He is perfect and judges perfectly. I am so thankful that God is in control! God never has a temper tantrum ~ He never has a melt-down ~ He never needs a time-out. </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: red; color: white; text-align: left;">God's wrath is righteous</span></h2>
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<i style="text-align: start;"><b>"For I am the Lord, I change not" </b></i></div>
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<i style="text-align: start;"><b>Malachi 3:6 </b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>God is the standard in all things, including wrath. He has the right to judge mankind because He is the Creator. This is God's universe, He does not change. We must meet His standards, not He ours. What God called sin in the beginning, He still calls sin today.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIv6b9eytOIUS7Bv5VXI8i8gJjptivRCrVljR8sJTTGgb_xNF9j2uam032YpANDHR0-zGD2UkGIE2nDAitLBoP_aSc6DAlZ19dq-a8Y8YgW75NFM5lCQH29TL0krW0dGSITCNXKi73D9z/s1600/fire2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIv6b9eytOIUS7Bv5VXI8i8gJjptivRCrVljR8sJTTGgb_xNF9j2uam032YpANDHR0-zGD2UkGIE2nDAitLBoP_aSc6DAlZ19dq-a8Y8YgW75NFM5lCQH29TL0krW0dGSITCNXKi73D9z/s1600/fire2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>"For our God is a consuming fire." <br />Hebrews 12:29</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>While we may not like to think about the unpleasantness of God's wrath and judgment, it is vital that we consider it when the temptation to sin arises. To be acquainted with this attribute of God's character will enable us, His children, to warn others.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Next time we'll explore God's Love...</b></span></div>
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<strong><em>Blessings, Pamelyn</em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Source: King James Bible</span><br />
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Pamelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09218341962358342439noreply@blogger.com0