tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35926253009301661692024-03-04T20:33:16.787-08:00life is goodebecause He is good, all the time.Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-17084202313298484902012-03-24T23:00:00.000-07:002012-03-24T23:00:06.445-07:00The Righteousness of God, Revealed Through Jesus Christ<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This week, Chad Hampsch walked the class through the book of Romans and helped us understand it a little better. Romans is a very popular (commonly preached, memorized, etc) book of the Bible in the Christian circle. To me, the general idea of the book is the truth of the gospel and how that truth impacts a believer’s life; Paul first communicates belief and then behavior. Being a Hebrew with a deep love for his people, Paul brings much clarity from the Old Testament by bringing up many questions and answering it in light of the new covenant. In short, the book of Romans can be dissected into seven sections: introduction (not ashamed), condemnation, justification, sanctification, restoration, application, and conclusion. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the introduction, Paul does not beat around the bush; he unashamedly confesses his belief. (Romans 1:16- “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes; first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”) The Greek word for power in this verse is the same word we get <i>dynamite</i> from in the English language. Verse 17 goes on to say that the righteousness of God is revealed through the Gospel; the holiness of God is seen through the person of Jesus Christ, who was fully God, fully man, and completely righteous. In a time when some people (most importantly to Paul, the Jews) were still processing “this whole Jesus thing,” Paul was not ashamed. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For the next two chapters, Paul explains that all mankind is condemned; that no rule, law, or action can save a man. He explicitly addresses the Jews and tells them that the Law will not save them. He does not only speak condemnation to the Jew, but also reminds them of their position, “the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.” (Romans 3:2) Paul ends this “section” by quoting Old Testament Scriptures (for the Jews) that told them no one is righteous, and that “no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the words of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” (Romans 3:20) Paul then explains that no one can be saved from their condemnation except through Jesus and that salvation and righteousness comes through faith. This faith is in the truth that Jesus came as an atonement (a word that the Jews knew very well) for mankind and now God sees all people who believe in Him as justified (to be made righteous in His sight). Jesus Christ is the substitute that takes our place; His blood paid the price for our sins and makes a way to God. Justification could been described as the moment one accepts Jesus as Savior and is immediately free from sins penalty (because it’s on Jesus). </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The next section in Romans and the next part in a believer’s life after trusting Jesus as their Savior is sanctification. Sanctification is the process of becoming more and more like Christ through the power and work of the Holy Spirit, which resides in every believer. The process of becoming more like Christ is to display to the world that there is a difference after coming to know Him; His people are set a part because He is holy. Chapter 7 compares and contrast the life of an unbeliever and the life of a believer. Those in Christ are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness, which brings freedom. Chapters 9-11 speak of the restoration that God desires for mankind. Paul communicates God’s heart for both His chosen people and for the Gentiles that are grafted in. After this, Paul address what this new life looks like in action.</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In this section, Paul writes about being living sacrifices (again, a word the Jews would be very familiar with) as a spiritual act of worship (unlike the physical act of worship the Jews had been accustom to). Paul urges them to renew their minds, to have brotherly love for each other, to be submissive to the government, and to live in community with one another. This section contains many ways to apply the gospel (belief--->behavior). Paul ends the letter by challenging the Romans to plan to take the gospel to places it has not yet been preached. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This book is an incredible tool for the believer. I am so thankful we studied it more in depth this week. After studying something so great, I must always remind myself to apply it in my daily life and not let it be head knowledge. God has always been and will always be concerned about the heart, just as He was with His chosen people, the Jews. </span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-78038511365078698252012-02-23T22:31:00.000-08:002012-02-23T22:31:50.564-08:00God the Holy Spirit<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This week Dr. Pete Deison taught on the Holy Spirit. Mark and I had the pleasure of picking him up from the airport and taking him to dinner Monday night. It’s so incredibly encouraging to see a man his age with all of his experience and how God has used him in so many ways. I really enjoy watching and learning from individuals in an older generation than myself. A friend of mine recently pointed out to me that it seems the older people get the more bitter and hard they become about life or the more gentle and kind they become. This depends on whether that person has given their life over to the Lord. Dr. Deison is one who has tasted and seen that the Lord is good and has trusted in Him, thus he had a very tender spirit, and that’s exactly what we saw this week, the evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in his life for many years. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Holy Spirit is a co-equal of the Trinity with the Father and the Son and has always been. He is God, although God is not only the Holy Spirit. After salvation, the Holy Spirit manifest himself in every believer. How often are you aware of the Holy Spirit in your life and all that God the Spirit does in and through you? If you were anything like me, not near as much as we should; I think we take the indwelling of the Spirit for granted. The Holy Spirit came upon people for a time in the Old Testament (Bezaleel, Saul, Samson) but in the New Testament and today, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell at the moment of conversion and indwells and seals the believer until the day of redemption. Jesus said it was better for Him to leave and for the Spirit to come. As both Son of Man and Son of God, Jesus submitted himself to be limited to time and space, yet the Spirit can be in believers at all times in all places. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The purpose of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to sanctify us to be more like Christ. When Christ was on earth, He said He came to bring life abundantly. When the Spirit lives inside of believers to makes us more like Christ, there is growth. Without growth and living up to what we are called to, life is not lived in the abundance that God desires for us; therefore, indwelling and sanctification go hand in hand. Someone can be in-dwelt by the Spirit yet quench the Spirit’s leading, which would decrease growth, the abundant life, and sanctification. Paul warns us in 1 Thess 5:19 not to put out the fire of the Holy Spirit. The more we follow the leading of the Spirit, that still small voice, the more the fire flames. You could think of it as each time you listen to the Spirit’s leading and you follow it, you are adding more wood to the fire, and each time you don’t follow the leading of the Spirit, you are throwing water on the fire of the Spirit. Oh, that we would trust His plan for our life and make a decision each and every day to walk in the Spirit. As well as being quenched, the Spirit can also be grieved. Paul warns again in Eph 4:30, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God of whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” When we sin, we choose not to walk in holiness and this grieves the Spirit of God. Because He can be grieved, this shows that God is a person and our relationship with Him is personal. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Unlike the individuals in the Old Testament, believers now have the Helper, the Holy Spirit who leads, guides, guards, sanctifies, reveals truth, and so much more. When we are trusting the Holy Spirit to lead us, we should have no fear of the future, for we cannot be out of God’s will when we are trusting God and walking by the Spirit. He knows best and if we knew what was best for us, we would follow His lead relentlessly. </span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-34924578175601258492012-02-03T10:27:00.000-08:002012-02-03T10:27:49.657-08:00ACTS: The Sequel to the Gospels<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">This week we had the pleasure of having Mitch Maher speak to the class on the book of Acts. Up until the last few years, I had never read the book in its entirety. It’s incredible and if you have not read or studied it, I challenge you to do so. The entire Bible is about the Father’s redemptive plan, the gospel and because Jesus is God incarnate, it’s all about Him. The Old Testament anticipates Christ, the Gospels manifest Christ, Acts proclaims Christ, the Epistles (letters) explain Christ, and Revelation consummates Christ. <span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While Christ was on earth, he told his disciples, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.” (John 14:16) Before Christ ascended into heaven, he challenged his disciples with “the Great Commission” to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:19) The disciples knew the Holy Spirit would come but they did not know when and had never experienced the indwelling of the Spirit. Jesus had also told “them not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father...” (Acts 1:4) That promised Holy Spirit came upon them as recorded in Acts 2 as the Day of Pentacost. The Spirit of God came and in dwelt believers. “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” (Acts 2:2) What an act of God! The promised Spirit of God arrived and the followers of Christ were overjoyed! It was refreshing to hear this week about the power of the Holy Spirit and that the same Spirit it alive and working and indwelling me. Everyday, I’m trying to consciously make myself aware of the Spirit that lives inside of me and confessing my weakness and His power that helps me overcome sin in my life. He empowers me to make decisions that on my own I would not be able to make. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, lives in me (Romans 8:11) and is alive in me for God’s glory. I am not a slave to sin or a slave to the law anymore because of Christ’s work on the cross and the Spirits work in me. What freedom and joy that brings! </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Another thing in Acts that really speaks volumes is the church, the first group of believers that met together to worship our God. They had true community; they “had all things in common” (Acts 2:44b) not because they had the same hobbies or jobs but because they kept the main thing the main thing; that Christ died once for all. They were an incredibly selfless group of people! “And they were selling their possessions and belonging and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:45) and “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet and it was distributed to each as any had need.” (Acts 4:34) Do you see this happening in the church today? What an example of what the body of Christ should look like. This challenges me to be more generous and giving on a daily basis. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is so much I could share with you about Acts and the power and work of the Holy Spirit throughout the entire book. It is filled with God’s faithfulness, His gospel being proclaimed, and people coming to salvation by the thousands. I am so encouraged after studying this book. All that God did then, He can still do and I trust Him to use me to bring people to know Him. </span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-14631999196384752152012-01-15T11:20:00.000-08:002012-01-15T11:20:35.424-08:00The word, the world, the Word<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Tackling the Trinity is impossible, but I have realized this week just because it’s tough to grasp and it will never fully be understood that I should not ever use that as an excuse not to study our God’s nature. I praise Him for the mystery and hope in expectation to understand it when we see Him “face to face.” With that being said, I will hardly scratch the surface on Trinitarianism.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As Christians, we have something different- belief in a real God; all other religions believe in a god that does not exist. We have a relationship with a God that eternally exists. Oh, how that makes my heart leap for joy! We trust in a God who is real and who has existed forever and will exist forever. He has chosen to revealed Himself to us through <b><i>His word, the world, and His Son, the Word of God.</i></b> Our eternally existing God is three in one: Father, Son, and Spirit. <i>“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.’”</i> (<i>Luke 3:21-22)</i> </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now at this point many people (including myself about a week ago) would try to explain the Trinity as an egg (yoke, egg white, shell) or as water (solid, liquid, gas) but I’ve learned this week this is not the case, for that would mean our God is 3 separate gods, and He is not; He is one in three at the same time. Man tries to put the Trinity into an illustration, but there is not one illustration that could describe the Trinity. According to our speaker, Dr. Glenn Krieder, he put it like this: “The Father is God, but God is more than the Father. The Son is God, but God is more than the Son. The Spirit is God, but God is more than the Spirit.” The three are equal but have different functions. Each has existed together forever as one, before the creation of the world. <i> “In the beginning, </i><b><i>God</i></b><i> created...and the </i><b><i>Spirit of God</i></b><i> was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Gen 1:1-2) “In the beginning was the </i><b><i>Word</i></b><i>, and the </i><b><i>Word was with God</i></b><i>, and </i><b><i>the Word was God</i></b><i>. He was in the beginning with God. And the </i><b><i>Word became flesh </i></b><i>and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory of the only </i><b><i>Son</i></b><i> from the </i><b><i>Father</i></b><i>, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 1:14) </i> </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We took three days to discuss this; I understand it a little bit more but will be able to study this and seek it out in Scriptures the rest of my life. The Bible’s pages are filled with the truth and teaching of the Trinity, although the Trinity is not revealed until the New Testament, after Christ came, ascended to heaven, and sent the Spirit to indwell believers on the Day of Pentacost (Acts 2). Old Testament believers saw God, talked with God, ate with God, were filled with the Spirit of God, and prophesied about God’s Son, but they did not know that each was God. But when God became man, God incarnate, His chosen people, the Jews did not believe that Jesus was God. Some did believe and walked with the God man. Before Christ was crucified, He told His followers that He would leave but that the Father would send the Spirit in His name. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) Not long after Jesus left this earth, the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit indwelled believers. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the Old Testament, believers were saved like people are today, by grace through faith but they did not have the promised Helper, the Holy Spirit. What an incredible blessing we have not only to have the Scriptures but the indwelling of God himself, the Holy Spirit every second of every day. I praise God, the plan and will of the Father to send His Son and His promise of the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful for the truth of the Trinity and the oneness of our God and that He’s chosen to reveal Himself in His word, His world, and His Word. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>*Much of my information came from our speaker this week, Dr. Glenn Krieder, professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. </i></span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-5214367556129020042012-01-10T14:24:00.000-08:002012-01-10T14:24:50.936-08:00Soon to be StrongThis week, I have been overjoyed and filled with thankfulness!<div><br />
<div>Mark asked me to marry him on Friday around 11:30 in New Braunfels, TX. It was a <b><u>complete</u></b> SURPRISE (which was one of the 4 S's Mark strived for- surprise, simple, sentimental, & support). So here's the story of us...</div><div><br />
</div><div>We met at camp (TbarM) during summer 2009. We had a crush on each other but didn't know each other outside of camp so we decided to have hang out and talk about us during the end of the summer. We went out to eat and to the outlets then sat on a dock on the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels. We chatted for hours and then concluded that we would be friends and see how things went. I then proceeded to ask him to jump in the river with me (because I'm spontaneous). This sent him mixed signals, and he asked to meet up the next weekend which is when we high fived as friends and Mark told me, "I take things really slow." Long story short, we started talking every night on the phone and in October he asked my dad for permission to date me. We drove the 5 1/2 hour trip from OBU (Arkadelphia) to BU (Waco) every couple of weeks. It was a wonderful season of getting to know each other. We spent the next two summers on the leadership team together and grew very much in our relationship with the Lord and each other. For many years, I desired to attend the Focus on the Family Institute and when Mark told me he was looking at going to the Kanakuk Institute, I was like "Great! You do your thing, I'll do mine." I can be independent at times and I realized I had a fear of man about what others would think if I followed him to Branson. Last October, I visited the Institute with Mark and fell in love with the community and what God was up to here in this place. I started praying about it and God gave me a peace. I realized I wanted to attend the KI whether Mark went or not, but the fact that we are both here is the icing on the cake!! It has been the best season of my life. We both have grown so much in our walks and knowledge of the Lord. We strive everyday to live a life of excellence. Walking in victory is thrilling! </div><div><br />
</div><div>So back to the story of us... Mark and I did not spend this Christmas break together. I went to FL for 3 weeks and he went home to College Station. It was a hard break for me. I love my family dearly and I loved seeing them, but because of my age and singleness, I fell somewhere in between children and the 4 couples I was with. I knew and know marriage is not the end all, be all...but it was hard finding my place. Again, a lesson of trusting the Lord. (and all along, my family members knew what was about to happen just days ahead!) So on Jan 5, my parents and I flew out from Orlando to Austin and Mark picked us up. I did not think it weird or strange that my parents were flying to TX (they do this often and they hadn't seen Angie's family for Christmas). So we spent the day at Angies and the plan for Mark and I was to go to College Station the next day to spend some time with his parents. So the next morning, Angie and mom were cleaning house and said the realtor was coming to look at the house and they had things going on (so I didn't feel so bad leaving). During the morning my dad asked me twice if he could paint my nails (which is not peculiar because he did that growing up). I thought nothing of it, nothing was out of the ordinary. We packed our bags and said goodbye to my family. Rewind... Before Christmas break Mark gave me some dresses for my gift and told me the other half of my gift was coming (again, I thought nothing of this because I was doing the same thing with his gift). So he has thing small gift wrapped (a little book size) in his car and tells me I can open it when we get to New Braunfels. New Braunfels?? We needed to get to College Station and NB was 30 out of the way. Sad to say, I was a little put out and silent during the car ride because we just had to leave my family and we were going out of the way to pick something up for my "gift". So we got to NB and when we were coming up to the place on the river where we had our first talk... I had a 2 second "ah could this be an engagement" moment that I quickly squelched because I thought <i>There is no way! He hasn't had time to get to the jewelers in Dallas.</i> So all I thought was <i>He's being sentimental</i>... We walk down to the dock and I open my gift, which was a small journal of many many messages I had written him that he has kept since Sept 7, 2009 and the book was called "Her words, his thought". On one page were my word and the other side of the page were his thoughts. I laughed out loud and cried as I read through this journal....still thinking all along, this is the most sweet sentimental gift ever. After I finished reading, I told him thank you through the tears and snot. He started "the speech" which went like "remember last time we were here, you said you just wanted to be friends? And now we are best friends..." and got on his knee and pulled out a ring box out of his boot and it then hit me. I am not sure what he said after that because I started saying "yes yes yes yes yes yes yes"!! We jumped up and down and celebrated for the next 10 mins. It truly was the best day and the most wonderful surprise I have ever had! We went back to Angie's to find not the realtor but all my sisters, their families, my parents, Mark's sister and parents, and our good friends Frank & Rachel. We had a cook out and celebrated all day long! My heart has been gushing all day everyday of the goodness of God's timing and His love. The love Mark and I have for each other is just the overflow of the intimate relationship with have individually with Christ. He is and always be first and we are each other's 2nd love. God has been so faithful, so kind to bless us with each other. As I sit here and right this I have tears in my eyes. I can hardly comprehend it all. I have awoken each morning since to look at my gorgeous ring and be reminded that this is all for His glory! Mark is not mine, he is the Lords and each day I give Mark back to Him with thankfulness. The day after the engagement, I opened my Bible to where I was reading in Psalms and oh this is how I felt- Ps 95:1-3 "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a JOYFUL noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a JOYFUL noise to him with songs of praise. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods." </div><div><br />
</div><div>We returned to the Institute two days ago and have been able to share our story and excitement with 70 friends. We also had about 10 hours in the car that we got to talk and plan on the way back. This will be a union for the Lord and will be HIS day, not ours. I am not stressed or worried, so excited and know all things will fall into place as we trust him.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Please pray for focus as Mark and I have A LOT going on at the Institute that we want to pour our whole hearts into and not be distracted...that we will balance our time wisely. Also, please pray for a sustained peace for us as we trust the Lord to open doors for a job. Mark is believing and claiming Lam 3:25- The LORD is good to those who wait on Him, to the soul who seeks Him.</div><div>Fun note: We went to the airport last night to pick up our speaker for this week and his flight was delayed, so we got to start our registry at BB&B...it was a blast! </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnamua3gSeBXnQZ73bmka1pnL9UJfrx-w-zD-1rJauq4ZyQXVzSmdlOIcDFxBzumK9XO7B9VHBbYXMIGi1J0k7wl3uBaweCatEaXMNoA7DClNlo7vBQA_jPUJhXWj0ItEaoCga-or_b8j/s1600/380986_10150577550979283_618699282_10939078_2131973830_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnamua3gSeBXnQZ73bmka1pnL9UJfrx-w-zD-1rJauq4ZyQXVzSmdlOIcDFxBzumK9XO7B9VHBbYXMIGi1J0k7wl3uBaweCatEaXMNoA7DClNlo7vBQA_jPUJhXWj0ItEaoCga-or_b8j/s320/380986_10150577550979283_618699282_10939078_2131973830_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> My ring is GORGEOUS! IT sparkles soooo much! 17 beautiful diamonds :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUz_Nskr7dNmByL78v0AnpYxO9SIE0IZBeuwtsn2bsNbedmOV1jpyw4bugMfMlN8u-is5VbB9ahbICeo7GV49UZhNFKUwQ37lJAM3Ccl0_xlfjKxM0-HO-PL0dXV7OGmnOXsIDc53_48w/s1600/388370_10150577550519283_618699282_10939073_1673476911_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUz_Nskr7dNmByL78v0AnpYxO9SIE0IZBeuwtsn2bsNbedmOV1jpyw4bugMfMlN8u-is5VbB9ahbICeo7GV49UZhNFKUwQ37lJAM3Ccl0_xlfjKxM0-HO-PL0dXV7OGmnOXsIDc53_48w/s320/388370_10150577550519283_618699282_10939073_1673476911_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyhWTbeLOXdM9J3tUuic6QUirfp7Qx9zPhQOP27LYKY4nw8-RP6OrgL3S3GyqlswZOmwUeC-QkofxqHsk5ICgVorBQNPirrT0VAalYVr92GrIM9VE3gSaTCsvE8eSo5Zf8sG7END4bo-M/s1600/396670_10150577550269283_618699282_10939070_754645091_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyhWTbeLOXdM9J3tUuic6QUirfp7Qx9zPhQOP27LYKY4nw8-RP6OrgL3S3GyqlswZOmwUeC-QkofxqHsk5ICgVorBQNPirrT0VAalYVr92GrIM9VE3gSaTCsvE8eSo5Zf8sG7END4bo-M/s320/396670_10150577550269283_618699282_10939070_754645091_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyOg9KhRzWvdvbVBVcAV3EGjtpr8bH_63zDtKAzNACu1dmnio99OM-NMVUv-vSdKzDoYeDFTTooVzKyvjBPV16NdKv620hwAjRezAM5KXmDq_B5tyEdqCVSKAEs-NZIC6rTGXKRz7ctmZ/s1600/398613_10150577551274283_618699282_10939083_378574152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyOg9KhRzWvdvbVBVcAV3EGjtpr8bH_63zDtKAzNACu1dmnio99OM-NMVUv-vSdKzDoYeDFTTooVzKyvjBPV16NdKv620hwAjRezAM5KXmDq_B5tyEdqCVSKAEs-NZIC6rTGXKRz7ctmZ/s320/398613_10150577551274283_618699282_10939083_378574152_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2w5o364EeCgYY_YAA2HRYbhqMOxvgYJKGN0ej9Og0nqJz6wOTutuh8yTXrSNdIInQlic9RmzGq_nTCpVE4yFeAzTk5JcCFaujLySkcYH79EP7TBc01_KKR4YYUywADLl-M04GcwZ3phz/s1600/399758_10150577551149283_618699282_10939080_1637977286_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2w5o364EeCgYY_YAA2HRYbhqMOxvgYJKGN0ej9Og0nqJz6wOTutuh8yTXrSNdIInQlic9RmzGq_nTCpVE4yFeAzTk5JcCFaujLySkcYH79EP7TBc01_KKR4YYUywADLl-M04GcwZ3phz/s320/399758_10150577551149283_618699282_10939080_1637977286_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGQ0GbvdzBtNXSuthwOpAndYNTqOEDGw8vBkyrU4_mHPiTeBFRIa3he7oVtYTlrd1YsptpHs7w1E2dw14-kVwhUBOB3fWocsjEior4tS99Vvv-NhBWSEacXB6yAe-9-l5auLmQEHxtygD/s1600/402391_10150577550684283_618699282_10939076_76342114_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGQ0GbvdzBtNXSuthwOpAndYNTqOEDGw8vBkyrU4_mHPiTeBFRIa3he7oVtYTlrd1YsptpHs7w1E2dw14-kVwhUBOB3fWocsjEior4tS99Vvv-NhBWSEacXB6yAe-9-l5auLmQEHxtygD/s320/402391_10150577550684283_618699282_10939076_76342114_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RfYu24PcyzK0pxW95ME6DNNymshDpkOqCUxIVK9VvNIIsFD90jg5eK5mGei-k19vgQ3_YzFGMwtj41ry5uFA-ndA2BHhoDZZK-yDfc463fgIEaBjre1zQDR4ndnPOzKPB0TisehCSGKL/s1600/405398_10150577550769283_618699282_10939077_1626301467_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RfYu24PcyzK0pxW95ME6DNNymshDpkOqCUxIVK9VvNIIsFD90jg5eK5mGei-k19vgQ3_YzFGMwtj41ry5uFA-ndA2BHhoDZZK-yDfc463fgIEaBjre1zQDR4ndnPOzKPB0TisehCSGKL/s320/405398_10150577550769283_618699282_10939077_1626301467_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> jumping for JOY!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCqbjLEC1gmMykOwOeBQdLF_CE0M1LNZT67WlEVYj1g4yYZ58MxEXbloItkEKOSK2oQW84GhJJruX4YhpqFPuQjGPgSGCuByz0ETujCXieVdFMSAiakyUmjXle5l4QTyH2QkhEqXmnSKt/s1600/383889_10150577550139283_618699282_10939069_1011541298_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCqbjLEC1gmMykOwOeBQdLF_CE0M1LNZT67WlEVYj1g4yYZ58MxEXbloItkEKOSK2oQW84GhJJruX4YhpqFPuQjGPgSGCuByz0ETujCXieVdFMSAiakyUmjXle5l4QTyH2QkhEqXmnSKt/s320/383889_10150577550139283_618699282_10939069_1011541298_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>To God be the glory, great things He has done!</div><div><br />
</div></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-25538895831301838192011-12-18T07:13:00.000-08:002011-12-18T07:13:27.527-08:00Prophets Speak, "Shape up, or ship out!"<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“In Wrath, God Remembers Mercy”</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As you know, my weekly assignment at the KI is to write a response about what we learned throughout the week in class. We did not have an assignment last week (which was a very nice break) which means I can talk about one thing I learned from the previous two weeks. Wow! I don’t know where to begin. Debbie Jo White came last week and we studied Daniel and this week Blake Holmes from Watermark in Dallas came and we studied all the prophets. It was incredible. Blake and his companion, Bobby Crotty, referred to these books of the Bible as the “sticky pages.” The prophetical books are the most neglected books of the Bible (<i>O God, convict our hearts for ignoring part of your Word</i>). Before my time here at the KI and my knowledge of the Bible as a whole (through the Bible overview classes and project), I would not have been able to understand the prophetical books either. The history of Israel is vital to understanding the prophets and the Bible as a whole. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The 17 prophetical books fall into three categories (pre-exilic, exilic, post-exilic). Now you are probably be thinking, <i>what does that mean</i>? Here’s a little bit of history- creation, the fall of man, the flood, the tower of babel (dispersion of all mankind), and the call of Abram (later changed to Abraham). God made a covenant with Abraham and told him he would make him into a great nation and would give him land, seed, and blessing. This starts the history of the nation of Israel. After God brought his people out of slavery in Egypt, He gave them the law (moral, ceremonial, hygienic) and “the people answered with one voice and said, ‘All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.” (Exodus 24:3 &7) God told them if they obeyed He would bless them, yet they did not obey and repeatedly dishonored the covenant they had made with God. After many years of disobedience, God allowed Assyria to conquer Israel (northern kingdom) and Babylon to conquer Judah (southern kingdom). Those in Judah were exiled to Babylon for 70 years. The pre-exilic books (written before Israel was taken into exile) were written to warn the Israelites to turn their hearts back to God and repent. They did not repent and the exilic prophets are those who spoke during the exile. The post-exilic prophets spoke to the Israelites after they returned to the Promised Land mostly encouraging them to rebuild the temple. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now that you know a little bit more about the Israel’s history, you should be able to read the “sticky pages” with a little bit more understanding (Challenge: read Jeremiah 29). It’s God’s Word and it is for us today; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb 13:8). Let us not neglect any part of His Word! I was so convicted about my lack of interest and knowledge of this part of Scripture. It’s in there for a purpose and these books are applicable for us today. “All Scripture is God breathed.” (2 Tim 3:16) I encourage you to study more of Israel’s history and God’s redemptive plan for all mankind; the entire Bible flows and fits together. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Helpful Information-</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As you read the prophets, keep a few <b>principles</b> in mind (given to us this week by Blake Holmes, Watermark Church in Dallas): context is key, 90% is forthtell (speaking truth) and 10% is foretell (what to come), the theme is repentance and restoration, these are oracles (spoken, not letters, etc), and these books are like mountain tops and have double fulfillment (during their time and in the future). </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"> </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Pre-exilic:</b> Amos, Hosea (written to Israel, the northern kingdom) & Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk (written to Judah, the southern kingdom)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Exilic</b> (70 years in exile): Ezekiel, Daniel, Lamentations, Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Post-exilic</b> (after King Cyrus allowed them to return): Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The books Ezra & Nehemiah are the accounts of what happened when the people returned (rebuilding of the people, the temple, and the city walls). </span></div><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A quick glance at a few of the prophetical books: </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Obadiah</b>-“as you have done, it shall be done to you” (vs 15). This book was written to Esau’s descendants who did not help the Israelites when in need and God judged them. God hates the exploitation of others.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Jonah</b>- “salvation is from the Lord”: God called Jonah to Nineveh and he ran. What area of your life are you not surrendering to Christ?</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Amos</b>-“prepare to meet your God”: God addresses those who are living fat and happy at the expense of others. He calls the wise “cows.” (Amos 4:1-3) Complacency, materialism, and idolatry are detestable in God’s sight. What area of your life are you holding more important than Christ? </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Hosea</b>-“playing the whore”: God forgives Israel’s sin of idolatry and rebellion. He desires restoration. There is not any sin that is too great for God’s grace and forgiveness. If you are continual sin, you are already believing one lie (God does not satisfy all your needs), don’t believe a second lie that God cannot forgive you of that sin.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Daniel</b>-“Even if”: This book is INCREDIBLE! It takes place in Babylon during the 70 years of exile. Daniel and his friends has such amazing faith; “The God we serve is able to save us from it (<i>the furnace)</i>, and He will resuce us from your hand O king. But even if he does not, we want you to kno, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18) Do you have “even if” faith?</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Haggai</b>-”consider your ways”: This prophet spoke to the people after they had returned home. They were too busy rebuilding their “paneled houses” that they forgot to build the most important thing, the temple. What things in your life are you putting before God? Have you replaced God with the things of God?</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-30608342062181714782011-12-16T07:59:00.000-08:002011-12-16T07:59:18.880-08:00"The Body is a Temple" Lifeline<div style="font: 15.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: 15.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 6.7px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup></sup></span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Before salvation, our bodies were slaves to our flesh(1), </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">but when the Holy Spirit indwells us, our bodies become His holy temple(2) and, therefore, we are called to a standard of holiness and self-control(3). In everything that we do, we are to treat our bodies as instruments for God’s glory. Christ permits the believer freedom to enjoy life(4), but we are never to use that freedom if it might become an obstacle to another believer’s sanctification(5). While believers may have different “convictions” about issues(6), every believer should be open having their convictions challenged first by Scripture and then by other believers(7).</span></div><div style="font: 15.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div><br />
<div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 6.7px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></sup></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 6.7px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></sup></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 6.7px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></sup></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 6.7px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></sup></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 6.7px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></sup></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(1) Romans 6:6,17-18, 1 Cor 6:9-11, Eph 4:22</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(2) 1 cor 6:13, 19-20, Eph 5:18</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(3) Eph 5:15, Gal 5:22-23, 1 Thess 4:4</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(4) Ecc 9:7-9, 1 Cor 6:12, Ecc 5:18</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(5) Gal 5:13, Rm 14:13, 1 Cor 8:9,13</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(6) Rm 14:2, 1 Cor 8</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(7) 2 Tim 3:16, Prov 1:5, Prov 19:20</span></span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-4563311810037794762011-12-03T20:40:00.001-08:002011-12-03T20:40:53.226-08:00Rando-Evango<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This week I was freshly convicted of my lack of concern for the lost. I have used many excuses not to witness, such as fear, inadequacy, and/or rejection. The word evangelism can make some of us cringe. We’ve all heard the phrase, “Share the gospel, if necessary, use words.” Although I know that the way we live our lives will be different from the world and hopefully they will see a difference, at some point we absolutely must open our mouths. Romans 10:14 says, “how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” If we live Godly lives we will win the respect of outsiders, but they will not know the Good News until we verbally share truth with them and this may mean sharing without being asked. God desires that I do so much more than just live a Godly life. Look at Jesus’, Peter’s, and Paul’s examples. They were fearless and brutally honest with the good news. Think about how the day the Lord drew you to Himself; was there someone who pointed you to Christ? My mom did that for me and I’m so thankful she not only lived out her faith but opened her mouth and shared what Jesus did on the cross for me. The truth of the gospel is powerful when spoken. Our words have the opportunity to bring life and our lack of words could keep others from eternal life with their Creator. Unbelievers are blindfolded headed straight for a chasm. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At the end of this week, all the students had a chance to be intentional in sharing the gospel. Instead of having class, we all went into the community to share the love of Christ with others. Three Institute girls and I went to a local nursing home and sang Christmas carols and talked with several elderly women. With Christmas right around the corner, we talked to the ladies about their favorite gift and then asked them if we could tell them about our favorite, most valuable gift, Jesus. We had some really neat conversations with the women, individually and as a group. I got to talk with one lady who said she had hope of going to heaven and I asked her how she was getting there and she said, “By obeying these people here.” I got to share with her that salvation is through faith, not by works; that Christ came and did what we could not. She said she understood but I am not sure how much she retained. I am praying the Lord will use what I said in that conversation and many others and plant a hunger seed in their hearts and minds to know more about Jesus. After we sang to them several songs, they were wheeled away to lunch. We are planning on going back on a regular basis and I can not wait! Pray the Lord gives us words that they can understand and that the truth of His Word would pierce their hearts. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> I learned this week, I will never save anyone. Christ alone draws people to Himself and saves their souls. I am a vessel that will either be willing or unwilling to share the love that Christ has given me. The blindfold has been taken off my eyes and I know see the light and see others headed for eternal darkness. As we live our busy lives day to day, stop and ask the Lord to empower us and give us divine appointments (not random...”rando-evango”) to share the gospel and how it has changed our lives. I know He will be faithful in answering this pray; “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.</span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-91681638329092200152011-11-19T13:29:00.000-08:002011-11-19T13:29:34.779-08:00Tulips are beautiful, but what about TULIP?<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Church history is fascinating. Have you ever wondered how it happened...how the church formed...what events took place between Christ’s ministry, the church the apostles started to today’s “emerging church”? Well a lot happened (this week we studied it in class) and I encourage you to seek out the major events, but I want to share with you about a man who had a big impact in the history of the church, John Calvin. Before I get started sharing my thoughts, I want you to know I have not studied John Calvin and the subject of election/predestination in depth. I find it interesting and want to search it out more. With that said, I do think Mr. Calvin was very wise and incredibly knowledge of the Scriptures; he wrote 65 commentaries (1 for each book of the Bible, minus Revelation). He was a respected teacher and theologian of the Word. His teachings influenced many denominations and people groups all over (France, Netherlands, Scotland, England) during his time and many churches and denominations today. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Throughout junior and senior high I attended a church that the name Calvin, the term “Calvinism” or “Calvinistic”, and the acronym “TULIP” were brought up...not too often, but enough where during class this week when his name came up, I thought, “Oh, I know this guy and what he’s all about” but I really didn’t know much. I had no idea what “TULIP” stood for, although I knew it had something to do with the sovereignty of God. The acronym TULIP stands for <b>Total depravity </b>(man has no goodness in himself...God must woo him); <b>Unconditional election</b>; <b>Limited atonement</b> (Christ died only for certain people); <b>Irresistible grace</b> (when God calls, you can not reject); <b>Perseverance of the saints</b>. I fully grasp and agree that man is totally dependent on God’s goodness, not our own. God chooses us and woos us to Himself. It is not out of ourselves that we are saved, but only by God’s moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives to convict us of sin and bring us to repentance. But with some of those claims, I can’t help but think of the infamous verse of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He sent his one and only Son, that <b>whoever</b> believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” and 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, <b>not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance</b>. And then I read Ephsians 1:4-5, “even as He <b>chose</b> us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him In love, He <b>predestined </b>us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.” Does this mean God wishes none would perish...because He wants a relationship with man that He made in His own image, but He knew many would reject His message? That is where I have come to today. I have only begun in studying this subject and at this point I guess I would call myself “half Calvinist.” In the mean time, while I wrestle with this, I am EXTREMELY grateful and humbled that God would woo me to Himself, that He would call me Daughter. Oh how I don’t deserve his grace, love, and forgiveness, but He has given it to me freely and I accept the gift.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRNfD5NclOsY0ZWRjnN-UWnCzfNkXMdA8o_4gpYrNtqYaZGwW5XQtssFF3YVgiz5d0s9x1UR9e0woGMctelEGAlXhWXjCFK0MuHKgJ8ssdNPi1_tQnRA3sweVb-sCsqFxvc3Bmz7CccQa/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRNfD5NclOsY0ZWRjnN-UWnCzfNkXMdA8o_4gpYrNtqYaZGwW5XQtssFF3YVgiz5d0s9x1UR9e0woGMctelEGAlXhWXjCFK0MuHKgJ8ssdNPi1_tQnRA3sweVb-sCsqFxvc3Bmz7CccQa/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Information from Chad Hampsch lecture/ powerpoint of Church History</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-15480096887651676792011-11-16T08:06:00.000-08:002011-11-16T14:41:29.380-08:00Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage Lifeline<div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I know this is a touchy subject. This is not Laura speaking. These claims have come straight from the Word of God. I challenge you to read the verse below if you are struggling with any of these. This was a group effort; 6 of us worked on putting this together. </span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Marriage is a covenant instituted by God(1) in which two people become one(2). God intends the marriage to model the relationship between Christ and the church(3). Marriage is dissolved by death alone(4). The purposes of marriage include passing on faith to your children,(5) the sanctification of the believer,(6) and our personal delight(7). God hates divorce(8), but we are still to love each other. The only two grounds for divorce are sexual unfaithfulness(9) and desertion by </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>an unbelieving spouse(10). Before any divorce, every attempt should be made to be reconciled(11). </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Remarriage is acceptable only after the death of a spouse or former spouse(12).</b></span></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark 10:9</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Genesis 2:24</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2) </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matthew 19:5-6</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ephesians 5:31 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(3)</span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ephesians 5:23-24</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Corinthians 11:3</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(4) </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 7:2-3</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matthew 22:30</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(5) </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Psalm 127:4-5</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! </span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Genesis 1:28</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(6) </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ephesians 5:25-27</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Corinthians 7:2</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Thessalonians 4:3</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;</span></div></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(7</span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Proverbs 5:18-19</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Song of Solomon 2:3-4</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(8)</span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Malachi 2:16a</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel,</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt. 5:32</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exodus 20:14</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> You shall not commit adultery.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(9) </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matthew 5:32</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.”</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matthew 19:9</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(10) </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Corinthians 7:15</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jeremiah 3:8</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She also saw that I gave wayward Israel her divorce papers and sent her away because of her adulterous worship of other gods. Even after her unfaithful sister Judah had seen this, she still was not afraid, and she too went and gave herself like a prostitute to other gods.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11) </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Corinthians 7:10-11</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(12) </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Corinthians 7:39</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4955681066494435" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 7:2-3</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.</span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-41500450311629303282011-10-28T12:30:00.000-07:002011-10-28T12:30:02.306-07:00the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...or does it?<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My favorite brother, Matthew has such knowledge and desire for the Word. His oldest son, Levi was named after Jacob’s son Levi. The tribe of Levi was in charge of the tabernacle (God’s temporary dwelling place among the Israelites). On October 15th, the newest member of my family was born- my nephew, Josiah Samuel Dale Goode. These two nephews have names with incredibly rich meaning. King Josiah and the tribe of Levi honored God and are remembered for their trust in the LORD (YHWH).</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In class this week, we studied the Kingdom era. Let’s play a little history catch up... After Moses passes away in Moab and Joshua succeeds him, Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promise Land. The twelve tribes settle and are soon in cycles of sin during the Judges era. The people cry out for a king and Samuel appoints Saul then David. Solomon succeeds his father David. After Solomon’s reign, his son Reheboam comes into power but Solomon’s servant, Jeroboam, leads a rebellion and Israel splits, north and south. Therefore, the kingdom era includes the united and divided kingdoms. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">During the divided kingdom, there were 19 kings in the Northern Kingdom and 20 kings in the Southern Kingdom. Every king in the Northern Kingdom was evil and God eventually brought judgment on them through the invasion of Assyria. However, there were a few (~8) kings in the Southern Kingdom who were “good”. King Josiah was one of those kings: “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or the left.” (2 Kings 22:2) However, King Josiah’s father, Amon, was an evil king. Amon reigned for 2 years and was killed by his servants. “He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” “He abandoned the Lord, the God of his fathers and did not walk in the way of the LORD.” (2 Kings 21:20 & 22) The contrast of their lives is black and white. Amon “served the idols that his father served and worshiped them.” (2 Kings 21:21), yet Josiah did not follow in the foot steps of his father. When Josiah was 18, his secretary found the Book of the Law while visiting the high priest and he had him bring it back to him. Josiah’s secretary read the Book to him and he “tore his clothes.” (2 Kings 22:11). He was so moved by God he read it to his people and made a “covenant before the LORD to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments....and all the people joined in the covenant.” (2 Kings 22:3) Josiah also restores the Passover. Talk about a reformation! </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In Exodus 34:7, God says he will not let the sins go unpunished and will punish the children for the sin of their fathers to the third and forth generations. This seems to be contrasted in Ezekiel 18:19- 20, “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.” Our speaker this week, Charles Stolfus, helped us understand these two verses. Our sins will always have consequences and some for years to come (the third and forth generations) but each believer is solely responsible for their own sin, accountable to God for their own actions. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is a freeing truth! If you parents didn’t live a life that honored God, your life may have affects from that but you can walk in freedom. The sins of our parents do not have control over us; their mistakes do not predict the way our lives will turn out. Amon was an evil man who did not follow God, yet his young son honored God and lead his people back to the LORD. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My Dad trained up my brother in the way he should go, and now that he’s older, he has not departed from it (Prov 22:6) and he is instilling that into his children. Our God is a compassionate God who still cared for and looked after His people, Israel, even when an evil rebellious king was in power, and He will do the same today...for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprFUDFuwlRA06Mi79Fw8lhzgrlLKjWGbXEIB2BfVpW9qIGVbgZzy4R0kKtmkhJ4907OXzQkyCr7_cyYgXoRpM8yADPtdnmwi2RqCVVleg7CGQGbJ2SmWDThceRWdimvtS5-G8YTM9FetJ/s1600/317774_858631913173_57206646_38852617_287757314_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprFUDFuwlRA06Mi79Fw8lhzgrlLKjWGbXEIB2BfVpW9qIGVbgZzy4R0kKtmkhJ4907OXzQkyCr7_cyYgXoRpM8yADPtdnmwi2RqCVVleg7CGQGbJ2SmWDThceRWdimvtS5-G8YTM9FetJ/s320/317774_858631913173_57206646_38852617_287757314_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-16655334653373402962011-10-25T10:01:00.000-07:002011-10-25T10:01:20.209-07:00Media...Media Lifeline<br />
<br />
Believers have freedom in Christ though everything in the world is not beneficial.1 As<br />
believers, we are called to live to a higher standard.2 In living in the world, believers should<br />
remain in fellowship with the Holy Spirit to discern the impact of what we subject ourselves to.3<br />
Our thoughts are a direct reflection of what we have seen and heard; God desires us to think<br />
about what is pure and holy.4 Therefore, we should set up safeguards and guidelines to protect<br />
ourselves and others from Satan’s attacks.5<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
1<br />
<br />
Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for<br />
the flesh, but through love serve one another.<br />
1 Corinthians 10:23 - All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all<br />
things edify.<br />
<br />
<br />
2<br />
<br />
1 John 2:15 - Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is<br />
not in him.<br />
Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that<br />
you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.<br />
1 Corinthians 10:31 - Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.<br />
<br />
3<br />
<br />
2 Corinthians 10:5 - We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God,<br />
and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,<br />
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,<br />
for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.<br />
<br />
4<br />
<br />
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure,<br />
whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on<br />
these things.<br />
Habukkuk 1:13 - Your eyes are too pure to approve evil,<br />
And You can not look on wickedness with favor.<br />
Why do You look with favor<br />
On those who deal treacherously?<br />
Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up<br />
Those more righteous than they?<br />
<br />
5<br />
<br />
2 Timothy 2:16-17 - But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will<br />
spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,<br />
Psalm 101:1-4 - I will sing of loving kindness and justice,<br />
To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.<br />
I will give heed to the blameless way.<br />
When will You come to me?<br />
I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.<br />
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;<br />
I hate the work of those who fall away;<br />
It shall not fasten its grip on me.<br />
A perverse heart shall depart from me;<br />
I will know no evil.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div></span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-73825269098589972832011-10-22T15:48:00.000-07:002011-10-22T15:51:39.233-07:00Leave & Cleave, Openness & Oneness<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Marriage...the two become one flesh, it’s such a mystery. This week at KI, we were graced with the presence of some Godly men and women (Lamar Trieschmann, Gary Oliver, Dr. Dick Monline, Gary Smalley, Joe White, Keith Chancy, and two couples) who shed some light on the subject. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The first few days we learned that emotional intelligence (knowing your own state of emotions, being able to handle them correctly and sensing the emotions of others and knowing how to respond to them) is so important in relationships. I want to grow more in emotional intelligence and implement this in my future marriage. To be able to stop myself and understand what I’m currently feeling, why, and where to go from there is vital, as well as understanding that of others and helping them process their emotions. Emotions are real and if not correctly dealt with can bring destruction to any relationship (with God, a friend, a spouse, a parents, etc.). Another powerful truth I learned this week about emotions is that no one can make us feel a certain way without our consent. We choose how we respond. We need to take responsibility for our emotions and how we react to others. This is something I really needed to hear. I believe this truth will bring much freedom to my life. I am a very sensitive person and if I’m not careful to control my emotions, I allow myself to get hurt very often. With this new truth in my mind and heart and with the Holy Spirit’s help, I can take my thoughts captive, speak truth to myself and overlook the offenses of others. (Now I am not saying conflict resolution or rebuking in love is unnecessary) Our mind is powerful and with God’s help I will be able to take my emotions captive to His glory. I strongly believe this has a huge affect on marriages today and I want to put this into practice in my future marriage, and am currently practicing this in my current relationships, especially my relationship with Mark. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We also took a spiritual gifts test and a personality test. It was neat to learn more about myself, Mark, and my many friends here at the Institute. According to my scores, my spiritual gifts are showing mercy and service. God gently reminded me this week that He Himself has given us these gifts to be used to edify others, and that I should not covet other’s gifts but use and strengthen the ones He’s graciously given me. I often look at others around me and ask myself “Don’t they see a need here? Why aren’t they serving?” (and yes we are all called to serve) but the reality is that not everyone has the gift of service; therefore, it does not come naturally to fulfill a need. This is something I am currently trying to practice in my relationship with Mark and being thankful for the gifts God’s given him of teaching and administration. He and I are very different. We’ve always known that, but seeing it on paper this week was such a good reminder and a spiritual reality of God’s creativeness in making us unique. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Something that surprised me this week is the fact that 70% of communication is miscommunication. I have heard so many people tell me communication is key in a relationship, and my mom since my high school days has wisely told me, “Marry someone you can communicate with.” I learned this week that along with communication, understanding is also very important. What does good communication look like? Talking. In marriage? Two people talking daily striving to understand one another. Yes, I could go deeper about what that could or should look like, but if a couple’s goal is to communicate open daily through understanding, I believe their bond will grow stronger and stronger. The two become one flesh. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Marriage is a beautiful picture of Christ and the church. It’s a covenant and Christ is the glue that ultimately holds marriages together. Wisely stated by Mike and Lisa Button, “A healthy marriage is the best gift you can give your kids.” The purpose of my life is to glorify God in the process of sanctification. If marriage is in God’s will for my life (and I hope it is), I will be signing up for...you guessed it, sanctification. I desire for God to chip away everything in me that doesn’t look like His Son. God only visits the humble; He resist the proud. Oh, that He would humble me and open my eyes to see my sin in all my relationships and daily in my future marriage one day. </span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aYxYP5aUIRTyp9BfbsqqwIEu4hBAW9tT5l1ep5hzB8KGHCFoyWrHIwv2h5CO7GzvaAgaiXHvxVy2C1pSYVLByYD6UtQhQ6Z8BrAp-4XwgGJYNqCvxc7MtbJS-Sug8C6t1FO6JjW1Sf77/s1600/1253044442sOAaG3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aYxYP5aUIRTyp9BfbsqqwIEu4hBAW9tT5l1ep5hzB8KGHCFoyWrHIwv2h5CO7GzvaAgaiXHvxVy2C1pSYVLByYD6UtQhQ6Z8BrAp-4XwgGJYNqCvxc7MtbJS-Sug8C6t1FO6JjW1Sf77/s320/1253044442sOAaG3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-27570557176115129462011-10-22T15:41:00.000-07:002011-10-22T15:41:48.926-07:00Up to Date...<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Bible Overview</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The two weeks previous to this one, we went through the overview of the Bible. It was so cool to see again (I took a class at OBU called “Survey of the Bible) the wholeness of the Bible, how it all completely and perfectly goes together. No, it’s not all chronological, but we got to see it all pieced together like a finished puzzle. We had a huge timeline of the Bible from Creation to Revelations. It’s all about Jesus: the Old Testament anticipates Him, the Gospels manifest Him, Acts proclaim Him, the Epistles (letters) explain Him, and Revelations consummate Him (brings to completion). Karen Chancy taught the Bible from beginning to end the first week and kept us on the “highway,” she built a strong Biblical skeleton for us. The next week, Mitch Maher came and put some meat on the skeleton. If you look at the Bible and aren’t sure how it all fits together, I highly encourage you to read Mitch Maher’s book, “Clarifying the Bible” and Max Anders “Understanding the Bible in 30 days.” They are incredibly helpful to understanding the Bible from beginning to end and you can start placing each puzzle into it’s correct place. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">To see God's grace from Genesis to Revelations is so humbling. In Genesis 3, sin enters the world. Just 3 chapters into the Bible, Christ is prophesied about ("And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; HE will crush your head and you will strike HIS heel"). Also in Gen 3, God clothes Adam and Eve in animal skins. It's the first atonement for sins...blood was shed. Oh what a sacrifice Christ was, the final atonement for man's sin. Praise the LORD! </span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-67072971528239098102011-10-11T10:38:00.000-07:002011-10-11T10:38:03.027-07:00enjoying relationship.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have such wonderful friends @ KI. My suitemate & accountability partner, Adair- she's from TX!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUjlhYi6iNytnB-JKwOQXySBsGfbkp-FD1-CtTOIrnljGKZkFQcXolPjFtR7qFIVV8Lu2ikCvj4dm3Cylpj76q8nb4JvKy2ysqMNkhDjhqJJ2b460bytRumzX3qSOT3AHIEdeq4qFYC0V/s1600/Photo+55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUjlhYi6iNytnB-JKwOQXySBsGfbkp-FD1-CtTOIrnljGKZkFQcXolPjFtR7qFIVV8Lu2ikCvj4dm3Cylpj76q8nb4JvKy2ysqMNkhDjhqJJ2b460bytRumzX3qSOT3AHIEdeq4qFYC0V/s320/Photo+55.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9YeopSGHQCNUJazcNwJZZy-usUGhChRCO_ZhebZrwuT2cTS62eYuLSABY9ztp3Oa9aUUSZ_ITBqvdbthI8Y3aaF5nAWQ2vqJgome7su96JBpn9EkNN58y_BPyVYcXIxh4mDuDd4DcWtq/s1600/299632_10150402409156007_742396006_10530373_351080804_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9YeopSGHQCNUJazcNwJZZy-usUGhChRCO_ZhebZrwuT2cTS62eYuLSABY9ztp3Oa9aUUSZ_ITBqvdbthI8Y3aaF5nAWQ2vqJgome7su96JBpn9EkNN58y_BPyVYcXIxh4mDuDd4DcWtq/s320/299632_10150402409156007_742396006_10530373_351080804_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mark went all out for my birthday. Flowers, gift card and candy on my desk in the morning. Brought me Panera after I got off work, and surprised me with a party back at the Island with dozens of homemade cookies and lots of friends. The next day, we went to Olive Garden for dinner and went to see the show SIX- they were amazing. A group of 6 brothers who sing acapella and make noises with their voices that make your jaw drop. So blessed and so loved. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-38643913404786193062011-10-10T14:31:00.000-07:002011-10-10T14:31:37.695-07:00Belief Statements/ Lifelines<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Throughout my time at the KI, I will be digging into the Word and writing belief statements (assignments done by myself on a topic/doctrine) and/or lifelines (done with a small group in class each Monday). I wanted to post them to share what we're going through and what THE WORD says about each of these. It's been so amazing to look up truth and state it in a paragraph. Each claim is backed up with Scripture. Here we go...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conflict Resolution (belief statement)</span><br />
<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Christ desires for us to live at peace with everyone;<span style="font: normal normal normal 8px/normal Helvetica;">1 </span>however, because of sin,<span style="font: normal normal normal 8px/normal Helvetica;">2 </span>conflicts</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">arise among believers,<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">3 </span>which should be addressed quickly.<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">4 </span>Before we approach</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">someone we should seek the Lord in prayer,<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">5 </span>examine our own hearts for sin,<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">6 </span>and assume</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">the best.<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">7 </span>To confront your brother, privately show him his fault.<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">8 </span>If your brother is</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">wiling to resolve the conflict, you have won him over.<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">9 </span>If he is unrepentant, take two or</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">three believers with you to confront him.<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">10 </span>If he is still unrepentant, tell it to the church.<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">11</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If he still refuses to repent, he should be treated as an unbeliever.<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">12 </span>As Christians, we are</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">called to pray for this individual<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">13 </span>and encourage him back to the faith.<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">14 </span>This process</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">should be done in humility and gentleness,<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">15 </span>to keep the unity of the Spirit,<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">16 </span>and to</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">become more like Christ.<span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;">17</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1-Rm 12:18, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Matt 5:9</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2-Rm 7:17-18, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rm 2:23</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">3-James 4:8, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gal 5:17</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">4-Matt 5:23-24, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Matth 5:25a, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Eph 4:26</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">5-Ps 69:13, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Eph 6:18a</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">6-Matt 7:3-5, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 John 1:8</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">7- Prov 18:17, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Phill 2:3</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">8-Matt 18:15a, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Prov 25:2</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">9-Matt 18:15, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Luke 17:3b</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">10-Matt 18:16, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Deut 19:15b, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 Tim 5:19</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">11- Matt 18:17a, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 Cor 12:25, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Eph 4:3</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">12- Matt 18:17b, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rm 16:17, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Titus 3:10, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2 Thess 3:14</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">13-Matt 5:44, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Luke 6:28, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 Thess 5:17</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">14- Gal 6:1a, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rm 15:1</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">15- Eph 4:2, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Col 3:12</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">16- Eph 4:3, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ps 133:1</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">17- 2 Pet 3:18a, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Col 1:10, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Eph 4:15b</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How far is too far? (lifeline)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>112</o:Words> <o:Characters>640</o:Characters> <o:Lines>5</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>785</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.1280</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It is God’s will for us to be able to control our body in a way that honors Him.<sup>1</sup> Living our lives according to the desires of our flesh will ultimately lead to death.<sup> 2</sup> But by protecting our mind,<sup> 3</sup> our heart,<sup> 4</sup> and our actions<sup>5</sup> we will live a life of freedom in Christ. The lust of our flesh is not from the Father but it is from the world<sup>6</sup> and separates us from God.<sup> 7</sup> The Lord will provide a way out from our temptation<sup>8</sup> if we look to Him for guidance. God created sex for a man and a woman in marriage,<sup> 9</sup> so we exhibit self-control by fleeing from any situation that could cause us to fall short of God’s desire for our purity<sup>10</sup> or that may cause someone else to sin.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"> </span><sup>11</sup> Our body is not our own, it belongs to God, so it is our duty to glorify to Lord with our body.<sup> 12</sup><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><sup><br />
</sup></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1- 1 Tim 4:7, 1 Thess 4:3-4, Col 1:22</span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2- Rm 7:18, Rm 8:6, 1 Pet 2:11-12</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">3- 2 Cor 10:5, Rm 8:6, Phil 4:8</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">4- Mark 7:21, Prov 4:23, Matt 5:27-28</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">5- Rm 6:12-14, Matt 15-19</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">6- 1 John 2:15-17, Gal 5:17</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">7- Eph 5:3-5, 1 Pet 2:11-12</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">8- 1 Cor 10:13, 1 John 4:4</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">9- Gen 2:24, Heb 13:4, 1 Cor 7:1-2</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">10- Matt 5:29-30, 2 Tim 2:22</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">11- 1 Cor 8:13, 1 Pet 2:11-12</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">12- 1 Cor 6:19-20, 1 Cor 10:31</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Truth/Character/Integrity/Honesty (lifeline)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>47</o:Words> <o:Characters>270</o:Characters> <o:Lines>2</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>331</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.1280</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>47</o:Words> <o:Characters>270</o:Characters> <o:Lines>2</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>331</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.1280</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">God has called us to a life of sanctification and holiness.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[1]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a life surrendered to Christ, we desire to please God through our actions and speech.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[2]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a guide, we look to Christ’s example and His Word of truth.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[3]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to keep our commitments<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[4]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> and speak the truth in love.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[5]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Those who walk in integrity, walk securely.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[6]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" /> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /> <!--[endif]--> <div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[1]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> 1 Peter 3:15, Romans 8:28-29</div></div><div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[2]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Ephesians 4:1, Luke 6:45</div></div><div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[3]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Psalms 119:160, Psalms 119:105</div></div><div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[4]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Matthew 5:33-37, Ecclesiastes 5:4-5</div></div><div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[5]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 4:15</div></div><div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;"> <div class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3592625300930166169#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[6]<!--[endif]--></span></span></a> Proverbs 11:3, Proverbs 10:9, Psalms 15</div></div></div><!--EndFragment--></span><br />
<div><div id="ftn6"> </div></div><!--EndFragment--></span><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 8.0px Helvetica;"><br />
</span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-68947777361584238202011-09-29T20:05:00.000-07:002011-09-29T20:05:54.018-07:00An introduction to induction<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">IN(tro)DUCTION...</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This week David Lawson from Precept Ministries International (yes, he works alongside Kay Arthur) visited the “Island” and spoke to our class about what inductive Bible study looks like. Many people have not gone through any kind of teaching like this before, but I was blessed to have had the opportunity in college to take a class called ‘Interpreting the Bible’ that was very similar to David’s teaching. I took that class in college a few years ago, so it was really neat to be reminded of the truth and reason behind inductively studying the Bible. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Inductively studying anything means to gather all the details, to examine something very closely, to pick it apart and then make conclusions based upon the clear evidence. The purpose is to investigate the text, going from small details to big idea, not big idea to small details. It is important to inductively study the Bible to know God on a personal level. When we study the Bible for ourselves, we begin to grasp the text and hear personally from God through His written Word. The Bible comes alive in a new way when you study it for yourself. It is no longer just what you have heard from your parents, friends, or pastors; you know it to be true because you read, studied, and discovered truth through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. This kind of studying takes times and dedication. This week in class we studied Titus in depth. In the three days of class with David Lawson, we probably read the book of Titus eight times, each time looking for something differnt. We learned so much about Titus by using the three major areas of inductive Bible study: observation, interpretation, and application. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The first thing to do in the observation stage is to read the text. Ask yourself, what does it say? Take the Bible at it’s Word. God’s Word is flawless (Ps 12:6- And the Words of the Lord are flawless, Prov 30:5- Every Word of God is flawless). We should not necessarily always take the Bible literally (it is full of metaphors, illustrations, parables, etc) but you must take it seriously. As you read, observe the different people, places, and events. Ask yourself, the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, why). While reading, you will probably notice repeated words. These are keywords, that if taken out, the passage would lose it’s meaning. It is very helpful to use different color pens or colored markers to distinguish these things in answering these questions and noticing keywords (you may want to print out the book of the Bible you are studying while you dissecting it and go back later to your Bible and mark the biggest things that the Lord showed you). While observing and answering these questions, also make a list of things you discover. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Once we have observed the text by reading it a couple times, looking for keywords, making lists, and answering the previous questions we can begin to interpret the Scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit. In this stage, context is crucial. The word “context” comes from <i>con</i> meaning “with” and <i>text</i> meaning “woven.” The Word is woven together, it is a whole, it is a book that is not meant to be taken apart. When reading Scripture, studying it, and interpreting it, we must understand that the chapters before and after a passage are vital to understanding the passage, chapter, or book as a whole, to grasp what the author intended to communicate. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What good does observing and interpreting do if we do not apply what we learn? God did not intend for us to be only students of His Word, He’s called us to put our faith into action. James 2:17- in the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead. By being a good steward and studying the Word, we form our beliefs that turn into actions. What we believe transforms our behavior and way of life. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As David Lawson says, “Inductive Bible study is like a seven course meal” and we usually settle for drive through. Let us slow down daily as we read the Word, to ask ourselves these important questions and grow in the knowledge of our great God. Today, “do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15) </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592625300930166169.post-7790971705489004222011-09-29T13:09:00.000-07:002011-09-29T13:09:47.632-07:00Another Adventure<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Hey there friends and family! I know it has been hard to keep up with my life these last few years- Florida, Arkansas, Texas, and now Missouri! I will be here at the Kanakuk Institute (KI, located at K-Kauai, aka “the Island”) in Branson until April 13th, studying God’s Holy Word! That thought and recent reality thrills me. Every single thing we have done since the day we got here has been full on intentionality. The first week was packed with purpose...writing a vision/mission statement for our lives at the cemetery (sounds creepy but it was amazing), discussing absolute truth, character, integrity, and community, serving the families and churches in Joplin where the massive tornado took 150+ lives on May 22nd, and getting to know the other 70 students in the class. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">God has been so faithful to answer prayers and bless me in abundance. I am in a wonderful small group (the KI President’s wife, Karen Chancey), have a wonderful group of girls who I live with, have such a fun job of babysitting one of the full time KI staff’s children for my campus job, have an accountability partner that I meet with weekly, am interning at FBC Branson with the youth group (get to lead a small group of10th grade girls), get to help lead worship every Monday morning, just got a job yesterday at Coldwater Creek, and get to sit under Godly leaders such as Todd Wagner, Bob Cornuke, Gary Smalley, and many others every day! WOW! Talk about an adventure! Please pray for me as I seek the Lord daily, strive to bring Him glory in all I do and lead others to do the same. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Seven years ago this month was the anniversary of the car accident that changed my life. God is Healer, I celebrate His miracle in my life and am so thankful to Him and my family for seeing me through. He is and always will be good and uses every hardship for His glory. “Life is Goode,” only because GOD is GOOD. I want to be a Godly wife and mother one day and although that is in my paragraph long life purpose statement, summarized it will be something like this: Know & love God, serve & love others. </span></div>Mark & Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008552622847997951noreply@blogger.com0