tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22651193346431421602024-02-06T18:32:48.359-08:00LIVE MinistriesAlan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-65798732898768084062020-10-17T09:26:00.000-07:002020-10-17T09:26:29.572-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMDdMYAmKoIA17tAXQjxSC_pJFpVVUAjyyWrI8899KmQ5NBcIyJTwJOZpbKlh_BbJTvIxSUUUSGGzECEnUfj8yE264gunHmUL8WinEbd5q8JC-YkiZtdgoeiHWFWlmhbqt16SmRCCEEw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="468" height="728" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMDdMYAmKoIA17tAXQjxSC_pJFpVVUAjyyWrI8899KmQ5NBcIyJTwJOZpbKlh_BbJTvIxSUUUSGGzECEnUfj8yE264gunHmUL8WinEbd5q8JC-YkiZtdgoeiHWFWlmhbqt16SmRCCEEw/w534-h728/image.png" width="534" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-57593650058469413472020-04-10T11:50:00.000-07:002020-04-10T11:51:11.806-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">DOES PRAYER WORK?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>By Alan Scott<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 8pt;">© 2020 Alan Scott<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Yes. It always does. It always deepens our relationship with the Father! So often we measure the impact of prayer by the result we see on the circumstances or person for whom we prayed. If we don’t see the desired outcome, we are tempted to conclude that prayer must not work. We think that for our prayer to work, we must be able to convince, manipulate, or bargain with the Father to change His mind. We judge the effectiveness of prayer by whether we get what we asked for. Prayer becomes a spiritual chore that we never quite master or enjoy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What if we were to measure the effectiveness of our prayers by how <i>we</i> have been changed? Prayer always leads us into a deeper relationship of submission and dependence upon the Father. As we pray for a particular need, we surrender to the Father’s purpose and will for that need. If we don’t see the desired change in that wayward grandchild or have that unpaid bill miraculously paid, we still trust Him. In our conversations with the Father about these needs, we gain confidence in His deep love for that grandchild. As we pray about that unpaid bill, our surrender and trust to the Father’s wisdom and power will result in our experiencing His peace. Peace always accompanies His presence and assures us that He is with us even when our circumstances seem unchanged.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The purpose of prayer is to deepen our relationship of trust and surrender to the Father’s will, not cajole or manipulate the Father to do <i>our</i> will. Prayer is a privilege and opportunity of intimate fellowship that builds deeper trust in the goodness and faithfulness of the Father. Jesus, who generously taught us to pray, modeled this relationship building prayer life in the Garden of Gethsemane. As He faced death on the cross, He prayed, “…My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39, NIV)<o:p></o:p></div>
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When Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray, He gave them what we have often called The Lord’s Prayer. In our worship services, we have often made these words a ritual of closing our extemporary prayer time by repeating together this prayer: <span class="woj"><i><span style="background: white;">“Our Father in heaven,</span></i></span><i> <span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">hallowed be your name,<b><sup> </sup></b>your kingdom come,</span></span> <span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">your will be done,</span></span> <span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">on earth as it is in heaven.<b><sup> </sup></b>Give us today our daily bread.<b><sup> </sup></b>And forgive us our debts,</span></span> <span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">as we also have forgiven our debtors.<b><sup> </sup></b>And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, (for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.)”</span></span></i><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;"> <i>Matthew 6:9-13, NIV</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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What if we were to pray this model prayer at the <i>start</i> of our personal prayer time with the Father instead? It would remind us and lead us to affirm that the foundation of our prayer is our surrender to His will. As we bring our burdens, by name, in fresh surrender, we trust Him in deeper ways. Imagine how this will change your testimony to your grandchild: “I have been praying for you and it has <i>so</i> deepened my relationship and trust in God for you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, prayer works. It’s not a chore or duty. It’s an opportunity for a richer relationship with the Father that leads to our comfort through His presence and peace!<o:p></o:p></div>
Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-81075216902209500812020-04-10T11:14:00.000-07:002020-04-10T12:09:18.370-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How long, Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">By Alan Scott © 2020<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u>“My Child, pray through until YOUR…</u><o:p></o:p></div>
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…Worry becomes trust<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Injustice becomes compassion<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Unfairness becomes opportunity<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Sorrow becomes hope<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Anger becomes love<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Unforgiveness becomes healing<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Resistance becomes obedience<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Frustration becomes joy<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Fear becomes transformed into faith<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Pain becomes overwhelmed by My presence<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Weakness becomes overshadowed with My power<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Priorities become surrendered to My purpose<o:p></o:p></div>
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…Impatience with Me is lost in My faithfulness!”<o:p></o:p></div>
Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-6472609033845790732018-07-28T12:43:00.001-07:002018-07-28T12:43:43.502-07:00The Opposite Of Pain<div class="MsoNormal">
What is the opposite of pain?<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Lord brought this question to mind as I was walking out
of the department store where I had made a quick stop for a last-minute item for
a party at our house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly
dismissed my initial answer…healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Healing is the solution but not the opposite of pain. What is the opposite of pain?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know many people who live with pain in their life, both
physical and emotional pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the
pain is self-inflicted but much of the pain is the result of the actions of
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than live in this world
of pain, what is the other side of pain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> More questions quickly came to mind.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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How do you leave the world of pain that wants to define your
life? You can’t pretend that the pain never happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God can heal your pain, but the memory of
pain can change how you live your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can become defensive or insecure, fearing the potential hurts ‘out
there’ in your future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can become
embittered, choosing to hurt first the next time, inadvertently becoming the
next ‘hurter’ for someone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Shortly after the first question came to mind, God brought
His answer to my mind the same way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I heard this thought that was not my idea</span>, “The opposite of pain is peace.” Almost immediately, and before I could
form my objections to His answer, He reminded me of Isaiah 26:3, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You will keep in perfect peace those whose
minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if that is
true?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The opposite of living a life
defined by pain or the memory of pain is… peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if we could choose to be kept in the
perfect peace that God promised to those who steadfastly choose to trust in God
for their future and their life free of pain’s distraction from or challenge to
our trust in God?<o:p></o:p></div>
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What if, when pain’s memory rises again, I stand against
pain and before God and declare:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I choose to trust you God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stand against pain’s attempt to distract me
from steadfastly choosing to trust You!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You will keep me in perfect peace!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pain is real, but Your peace is perfect, complete, and life changingly more
than real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Supernaturally real! Pain is
distracting but Your peace is the reward of my choice to trust in Your truth and
not in pain’s lies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I steadfastly choose to
trust You by an act of my will, whether I feel like it right now or not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AMEN!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Pain is not where God wants me to stay. I don't have to settle for anything less than a life in perfect peace. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Perfect peace is where God has promised to keep us who trust in Him and who do not give up choosing to trust Him. </span><br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because
they trust in you.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Isaiah 26:3, NIV</span><!--EndFragment-->Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-15739012752333306912013-05-07T08:30:00.000-07:002016-11-21T19:30:49.623-08:00My Friend Is Sinning<div style="background-color: white;">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My friend is sinning and I know he knows I know. It is not a secret anymore. It hasn’t been for some time. Somewhere along the line, he and other sinners thought that if the world didn’t call his sin a sin anymore, that the terrible bondage that sin brought on his spirit would be lifted. He forgot that the world calling it sin isn’t what makes it sin. It is sin because the God who made us says it is sin and what He says is sin is only the stuff that destroys us and our relationship with Him. It destroys us whether we think it does or not.</span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Redefining sin is not new. Everyone has tried it.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I didn’t hit him, Mom, I just tapped him!”</span></i></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I wasn’t angry, it was righteous indignation!” </span></i></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I wasn’t lusting, I was just admiring God’s creation!”</span></i></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“It wasn’t sin, it was only a mistake ‘cause I didn’t intend to do it.”</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My friend says that I am afraid of sin. He says I am sin-o-phobic. Oh, I used to fear sin. It was that “thing” that I just couldn’t seem to control. I didn’t want it but I couldn’t shake it. Then I thought that maybe it was me. You know. It was just the way God made me. But then I thought, wait a minute. God made me! Sin did not! Why should I let sin define who I am. What does this sin know? I think I will let God define me and my potential!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do not claim that I am free <i>of</i> sin, but I am happy to tell you I am free <i>from</i> sin. It no longer has its impossible hold on me. It doesn’t scare me into silence. It doesn’t hold me in its terrible trap of lies about me. Its claim that because I have sinned that I am defined by that sin, no longer keeps me bound to that sin. Christ has set me FREE! Can you hear it in my best Mel Gibson voice… FEEEEDOOOOM! No sin can separate me from the love of God! Take that, sin!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sin had its moment. Oh, yeah! It had God right where it wanted Him. The crowd was with sin. Yelling. Calling for God’s death. They had Him. No one wanted Him. He wasn’t popular. Lies were told about Him. They killed Him. Buried Him. It seemed like sin’s claim of ultimate power was finally proven true. Then God rose from the grave! Setting the captives of sin free once and for all! Proving that sin’s claim of control over you and me was once and forever a lie. God is our way of victory over the lies of sin’s power in our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God convicts me of my sin and I am thrilled. I don’t want that sneaky stuff in my life. When I agree with God about my sin and repent, turn from it, renounce its claim to rule my life, God sets me free. I invite God to cleanse me of its residue in my life and keep exposing any remnants in my life. Conviction. Repentance. You guys are my friends. You lead me to God’s truth about his power over sin.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My friend is sinning. You see, he is afraid of his sin. His braggadocios defense of sin or redefining sin is really his own sin-o-phobia. I have been there friend. It will not lead you to the freedom you seek. It is only in Christ that I no longer fear sin and its power to dominate my life. I am not afraid <i>of</i> you or your sin. I am afraid <i>for</i> you. But I will never give up hope for your freedom. I love you, sinning friend. If I can find the way out in Christ, so can you.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span></div>
Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-51018436002196991982013-05-01T09:09:00.000-07:002013-05-01T09:09:33.480-07:00Is It Just Too Late?<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text Jas-4-13" style="background-color: white;">"Now listen,<span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30351A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span> you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”<span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30351B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Jas-4-14" id="en-NIV-30352" style="background-color: white;">Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.<span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30352C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Jas-4-15" id="en-NIV-30353" style="background-color: white;">Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will,<span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30353D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span> we will live and do this or that.”</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Jas-4-16" id="en-NIV-30354" style="background-color: white;">As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.<span class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30354E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Jas-4-17" id="en-NIV-30355" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="vertical-align: top;"> </span>If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them. (James 4: 13-17, NIV)</span></i><br />
<br />
I got connected recently to a stray website while checking about time. It was a Calendar and Time Zone calculator. I was about to leave the site when I notice an interesting calendar feature. If I put in two dates, it would tell me how many years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes or seconds there were between any two dates. Now since I was near a birthday for me, I was curious what it would tell me. I knew the years. But it promised to tell me how many seconds I have lived! Are you ready? I have lived: 3026 weeks or 21,185 days or 508,440 hours or 30,506,400 minutes or . . . 1,830,384,000 seconds! In a little over 5 more years, I can hit 2 billion seconds of life!<br />
<br />
That seems like a lot of time to have gone by. Have I wasted it? Is it too late for me to accomplish more in my life for God? <br />
<br />
Now my granddaughter, Eva, will reach her first birthday soon. The calculator says that she has lived just over 31.5 million seconds! What has she done with all those seconds (other than learn to melt her grandparents heart with a smile over Skype!)? Have they been wasted? Is it too late for her? <br />
<br />
Well, Eva, I guess someone might ask you what you have accomplished with your 31.5 million seconds. Have you invented a new machine? Have you started a world changing charity? Have you made your mark on your chosen career? Of course not. You have been growing and learning. You have been falling and picking yourself up. You have been crying and laughing. You have been watching and loving your parents.<br />
<br />
There have been times when I have thought it was too late for me to do what God wanted me to do. (Have you ever been there?) I have let too many seconds tick by, too many lost opportunities. I have seen others who have already done it sooner and better. I tried it and it didn't work or wasn't received well. I have been pretty harsh in my judgement of accomplishments with my time on this earth.<br />
<br />
As excuses go for not doing what God wants you to do, time is a good one. I can blame the past. I can procrastinate to some unknown future. Or, I can say now is the time to obey. Now is the time. "<i>If anyone knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.</i> (unless they plan to do it tomorrow or now know its too late to try)<br />
<br />
It is not too late…<br />
…to go meet that new neighbor<br />
…to make those cookies<br />
…to read that Bible verse<br />
…to call that friend<br />
…to pray with my kids<br />
…to witness at work<br />
…to ask forgiveness long overdue<br />
<br />
Not if I am willing to…<br />
…repent to God of my sin of disobedience<br />
…humble myself to my neighbor and co-worker that I should have done this sooner<br />
…take a small step each day toward a big obedience<br />
…let God redeem my time of disobedience<br />
…let God draw on the lessons He has taught me during this "wasted" time<br />
…risk stumbling one more time as I learn and grow<br />
<br />
So, its OK Eva, we know a lot has been going on during this past 31.5 million seconds. It hasn't been wasted. I know your future is unknown and full of possibilities. But when you are tempted to give up, to be overwhelmed to the point of stopping, just focus on today. I am praying for your "today."<br />
<br />
God, what good do I know you want me to do today? Now on to the next seconds of my life.Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-34179139594102069272013-04-23T10:01:00.000-07:002013-04-23T10:01:50.234-07:00Ministry Happens or Catching the Wave of Providence<div id="yui_3_7_2_20_1366722692311_134" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
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<div id="yui_3_7_2_20_1366722692311_134" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
Have you ever given up or were about to give up because your plan didn't come together. Most of us live our lives with the illusion that life is linear and we can plan everything out and control all the variables with hard work. Hard work is an essential to anything worthwhile, planning is important but perhaps Spirit-led adaptability is an overlooked aspect of your life and mine. I came across a quote from an author who describes these as "Goose trails" (I am not sure I have ever used that expression before!)</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_20_1366722692311_134" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
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<div id="yui_3_7_2_20_1366722692311_134" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><i>"When we don’t pace ourselves, we tend to miss divine appointments right and left. In fact, they seem like human interruptions. We get so consumed with trying to get where we think God wants us to go that we put on spiritual blinders and miss the Goose trails He wants to take us down. The key is slowing down your pace, taking off your sandals, and experiencing God right here, right now.</i></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><i>...Spiritual maturity has less to do with long-range visions than it does with moment-by-moment sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. And it is our moment-by-moment sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that turns life into an everyday adventure." </i> (</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Excerpted from</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> Wild Goose Chase </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">by Mark Batterson)</span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I almost dismissed this as perhaps just one more excuse I could use for not planning well or anticipating change well. Then I came across a different author. He is a pastor of a very successful and growing church in the United States. He describes his experience while speaking across the country and coming to the realization that what worked at his church was not necessarily what would work in other situations. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"In many church growth stories, while leaders later point to principles that "got them there," they underplay the power of serendipitous, providential events of which they were able to take advantage. " (Dave Browning)</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;">He used an interesting phrase to capture this thought, "Opportunistic Leadership: catching the wave of Providence." Events that we believe are serendipitous are still in God's providential hands. They only seem serendipitous to us. What if God was working through your interruptions? What if only <u>we</u> saw them as our failures and inabilities and God saw them differently as new opportunities for Him? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I often wonder if I will ever be sure whether they were my failures in planning and execution or God's interruptions. Could it be that it doesn't matter now? I need to humble myself to God's plan, and ask Him to correct or instruct me from this point on. I need to look around and see how He wants to use today. Does He want a new direction? Is there someone to whom I need to minister or something He needs me to do at this interruption/failure point. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">God wants to redeem our plans, our time, our failures. Ministry is always about Him. Don't stop planning and working hard in ministry. Just stop seeing every interruption as <u>your</u> failure (or every success as <u>your</u> success). Catch the wave of what He is doing, trust Him, and get used to being humbled by a God who sees and plans in ways beyond our understanding! (The watch what He can do through a confident, humble people!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-16309569216129252182013-04-16T09:18:00.002-07:002013-04-16T09:32:31.025-07:00Sow Small Things<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
Yesterday we got a call from an out of town friend in need. A friend since our first days in college. We don't really get a chance to see each other much since I live a lot further away from that college. His family was traveling without him and had an unexpected and scary medical need. I couldn't do much but be a familiar face in a strange town for a little while. It was a small thing.<br />
<br />
Most of us do small things everyday and we think they don't amount to much. Perhaps we are expecting the harvest too soon?<br />
<br />
I am learning about sowing as a success goal in life. John Maxwell has written:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Define success as sowing, not reaping. So often people sow with the expectation of quick returns and are disappointed when that is not the case. Instead, we must sow and be prepared to wait for the harvest in due time. During that time, take a step back and recognize the immense impact you have on others. That is the true reason for living.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I read an excerpt from Robert Benson's book, <u>Digging In</u>:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“Gardens are about waiting and about hope as much as they are about anything. You wait for spring to come and for roses to bud out and for the earth to green up again. You wait for seeds to germinate and irises to spread. You wait for the dogwoods to turn white and pink and for the maple to go golden in the fall. And all the while you hold a vision of some new thing in your head, of what the garden will be someday. You cannot hurry it along, not any of it. Spring comes when it comes; roses bloom when they will; the garden grows at its own sweet pace. What it teaches you is to wait, to be patient, and to pay attention. Some morning the sun will rise, and something you have always dreamed of will come true.”</span></span></blockquote>
A seed is a small thing. Most of us do a lot of small things, but it is hard to see them as valuable because our desire is so focused on the harvest. Do small things matter? <br />
<br />
If I eat enough small pieces of candy, I am going to gain weight and be unhealthy. If I tell enough small lies, they will build a harvest of distrust. Don't small things matter now as well as eventually? <br />
<br />
Perhaps God will lead us to sow intentional, godly, small things in our lives. Things that may not be appreciated or produce immediate harvest. Prayer. Scripture. Love. Wisdom. <span style="background-color: white;">Kindness. Loving Correction.</span><br />
<br />
It is His harvest anyway, isn't it. So what? Sow the small things that will produce a great harvest for Him.<br />
<br />
Some of you are parents. Sow well. <br />
Some of you are working without much recognition. Sow well. <br />
Some of you have faithfully ministered to someone without harvest yet. Sow well.<br />
Some of you are teachers and educators. Sow well.<br />
Some of you serve others at your job. Sow well.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #222222;">
You may be more successful than you thought!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">It is His harvest, in His time.</span><br />
<br />
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Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-54660805495951338952013-02-13T11:58:00.000-08:002013-02-13T11:58:19.621-08:00Learning Love<br />
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Tomorrow is celebrated as Valentine’s Day. Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning
of the traditional pre-Easter Lenten season. My thoughts have been turning to the theme of love that
these days represent.</div>
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For
over 38 years, I have been loved by and in love with a remarkable woman. My wife, Beth. Before either of us really knew what
was happening, we found ourselves enamored with each other. At our first meeting at college, our
friends left us talking together and it was much later that we realized they
had all left us. We were married
when we were 20 years old and have been blessed with a marriage and mission
together that we could never have planned. I have learned love (and am learning love) by being loved by
Beth. She is always my champion
when no one knows better that I haven’t earned that honor. She has shared our ministry together in
ways that few will ever know. She
raised our three sons with love and devotion. Lately, she has loved me back to health after heart surgery. In all those ways and through all these
years, she has loved me. I am so
grateful that God brought us together and kept us together when love was so new
to us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I
was about 9 years old when God’s love got through to me. I remember the conviction that came
upon me. It was real. I needed a Savior. Someone asked me once, what a 9 year
old could do that would be so sinful.
I was as lost and hopeless as the greatest of sinners. I knew He had forgiven me and died on
the Cross for my sins because of His love for me. God had come into my heart. He showed me His love.
I had been changed. I remember
not wanting to do anything that would hurt the one I loved. I had been changed and am being changed
by His love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Valentine’s
Day and Ash Wednesday. Two days
which remind me that I have learned love by being loved. I have been changed by the love of God
and the love of my wife. Love
someone today. You may never know
how much they are learning about love by being loved by you. Let God love you and love through you!</span><!--EndFragment-->
Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-74405797459599152562013-02-06T17:09:00.000-08:002013-02-06T17:09:25.539-08:00Perfect Peace<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>"You will keep in perfect peace (Shalom) him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3</b></i></span></div>
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The following two thoughts flow from living with Isaiah 26:3 and reflect a bit of my spiritual journey to understand how to practically live in and be kept in perfect peace. </div>
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<i>Thought One:</i> God gives peace as I deliberately (by my will, choose to) trust Him. What do I trust Him for? Just to make my life circumstances better? What does "not perfect peace" look and feel like in my life? What choices do you need to make today to trust Him in a way that He keeps you in perfect peace? Teach me how to trust You, God, without conditionally holding my trust in You hostage to my circumstantial outcomes.</div>
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<i>Thought Two:</i> I trust in His character and nature. They are not defined by my circumstances nor do they predict my circumstances. In my prayer and worship, I affirm by a choice of my will His nature and character. When I find myself in “not-peace”, I discover I have become focused on the circumstances or possible outcomes rather than on His nature and character. At that time, I can begin to affirm (with my tongue) His attributes (not His promises to me) and that brings a proper focus and the potential to receive His peace. Shalom.</div>
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Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2265119334643142160.post-61239164392025181052013-01-30T06:58:00.001-08:002013-01-30T06:58:36.423-08:00<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><b><i>"Let us not become weary in doing
good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give
up." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(</span></i></b></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Galatians 6:9, NIV)</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">I have been meditating on a quote I had been
given that is attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"Don't judge each day by the
harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." </i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">It reminded me of
several scripture passages concerning harvest and planting. I decided to
share the passage above from Galatians.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">We live in age that expects harvest all the
time, not just seasonally. You boss does, your kids do, your parents do,
your teacher does. We expect our politicians to, our grocery store (why
can't you get good fruit in the winter?), our bank accounts, our diets.
We expect results…NOW!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia;">I guess a harvest is a reasonable expectation
for your life. Most farmers plant with an expectation of harvest.
But they expect the harvest in due time. We must expect that God is
the Lord of (and Scheduler of)</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">the Harvest in our
lives. Not our impatience or the impatience of others. What does<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"at the proper time"<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">mean in your life today? Should
that be my goal today? Can I only take joy today in the harvests I have
or others bring me? Maybe today I should focus on the "seeds" I
am called by God to plant today and trust God for the harvest "at the
proper time." Where is your focus today?</span></div>
Alan Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14981946813648743551noreply@blogger.com2