tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55187938597996545812024-03-17T18:04:15.728-05:00BOLD OutreachBiblical Outreach Leadership Development is a Christian outreach equipping ministry dedicated to building up and empowering Christians to intentionally share Christ's love with the people of their community.DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-51308229310362218302024-03-17T18:03:00.001-05:002024-03-17T18:03:23.183-05:00Behind the Veil ... the Hidden Glory of GOD<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I was preparing for Transfiguration Sunday and thinking about Jesus' interaction with His disciples. Had he come in glory, his purpose on earth would have been misunderstood, even in humility, the people that gathered to Him often came for the wrong reasons. Jesus veiled His real identity until His mission was completed. The following poem expresses my thoughts regarding the veil...</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49phsHQ_NErmO9XvvK6vsA5jdPGoRsDIPxuZjyi1ECd7tl3kJGW9JCcs4m0ZzoWy3s0E7U2cupxTESaVKq_D8Npj7c7NIGIRGIT8zFOubY-VqjOBpQ2DZeNztvDv33AmdFXqlEq9KJs9uHRFA-ULmha_Xjpr9OfZcFeW2nhbLZnAniV3kjtlP27q2jfE/s6000/PP-River2-0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3375" data-original-width="6000" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49phsHQ_NErmO9XvvK6vsA5jdPGoRsDIPxuZjyi1ECd7tl3kJGW9JCcs4m0ZzoWy3s0E7U2cupxTESaVKq_D8Npj7c7NIGIRGIT8zFOubY-VqjOBpQ2DZeNztvDv33AmdFXqlEq9KJs9uHRFA-ULmha_Xjpr9OfZcFeW2nhbLZnAniV3kjtlP27q2jfE/w504-h284/PP-River2-0263.JPG" width="504" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Behind the Veil </b> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jesus
came from heaven above, with humility and love.</span></p><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Setting
aside His glory, to be a servant of the Father.<br />Behind
the veil of a humble man, was the One and only Great “I AM.”<br /> <br />Just
a boy is a little small town, playing with sticks and stones,<br />Was
hidden God’s chosen in a plan to buy back His own.<br /> <br />His
identity was kept a secret by his father and mother dear,<br />Until
in His heavenly Father’s timing His true mission drew near.<br />For
behind the veil of this humble man, was the One and only Great “I AM.”<br /> <br />To
John the Baptist first He came, to restore the order of creation again.<br /> After His baptism in the River Jordan, nothing
in the world would ever be the same.<br />On
that day John heard the voice and was blessed to see,<br />Behind
the veil of this humble man, was the One and only Great “I AM.”<br /> <br />They
should have known those disciples three, </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">that there was something special in
this man to see.<br />But
their minds were dimmed until the time was right, </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">what was hidden from them in
plain sight.<br />For
behind the veil of this humble man, was the One and only Great “I AM.”<br /> <br />On
a mountain top one day, the veil was pulled away.<br />They
saw the glory of their Lord, but only for a moment before it, the veil, was
restored.<br />What
was this vision that they saw? A dream or something more?<br /> <br />This
man, their leader, teacher, and friend…glowing like the sun,<br />Standing
and talking with the men of old … Moses and Elijah,<br />“Can
we just stay here and build tents for everyone?”<br />And
then the voice from heaven claimed, “This is my beloved SON.”<br />Jesus
the man, claimed as the Son of the One and only Great “I AM.”<br /> <br />Pondering
all and filled with awe, they kept it to themselves what they saw.<br />Who
would believe it if they were to claim…<br />Behind
the veil of this humble man, was the One and only Great “I AM.”?<br /> <br />On
to Jerusalem and a cross and death, all seemed to be lost when He took His
final breath.<br />And
then the veil in the temple tore… and Jesus the man was revealed forever more,<br />As
the God behind the veil of a man, the One and only Great “I AM.” </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdvsfWvnkCqXr6DLvTecJOuPcQW2qtMYImkH1yDT27eExA8NoebOdwDKM-YyaU1yCKOeLe9LK3XmBNxt6jBUv2XHTMe1EWsW5evE1EFxipvioi-ZJah3B8lPscTRKEK3kMqSK5BAnFZZmPpelE0VdDWxSucFOveD7_v644iUEEkwL0wGmf13VdtfX2L0/s6000/PP-River1-0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3375" data-original-width="6000" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdvsfWvnkCqXr6DLvTecJOuPcQW2qtMYImkH1yDT27eExA8NoebOdwDKM-YyaU1yCKOeLe9LK3XmBNxt6jBUv2XHTMe1EWsW5evE1EFxipvioi-ZJah3B8lPscTRKEK3kMqSK5BAnFZZmPpelE0VdDWxSucFOveD7_v644iUEEkwL0wGmf13VdtfX2L0/w511-h288/PP-River1-0262.JPG" width="511" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Death
could not hold Him in, He rose and appeared to the disciples again.<br />Now…
now the vision became clear, no longer did they need to live in fear.<br />For
now, they knew and we do too. ….<br /> <br />That
behind the veil of this humble man, was the One and only Great “I AM.” </span></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-76962942934901676562023-12-20T22:06:00.000-06:002023-12-20T22:06:31.998-06:00The Peace of God<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>I wrote this message for the third Sunday of Advent - Peace Sunday</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18NS5o_WDq-ddr2wdT2hujwaLR2SIRzlcPfb34w3bX0QG-aBakYQC5BVbg90YE-OYh845qFnxS__JzUV5VIM9C2yF3SmrCMqmGRm0tk6Gu2GFmpXN-hRhCB0ff71Ej8adYGwJBt5xjhnuYre4PdBKjMAKZqpd9eYAeY39UTz-64CiPC4ECFeefeUWtHs/s6000/edit4x6Fram8511BrutscherField.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18NS5o_WDq-ddr2wdT2hujwaLR2SIRzlcPfb34w3bX0QG-aBakYQC5BVbg90YE-OYh845qFnxS__JzUV5VIM9C2yF3SmrCMqmGRm0tk6Gu2GFmpXN-hRhCB0ff71Ej8adYGwJBt5xjhnuYre4PdBKjMAKZqpd9eYAeY39UTz-64CiPC4ECFeefeUWtHs/w540-h359/edit4x6Fram8511BrutscherField.JPG" width="540" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Grace, mercy, and PEACE from God the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you and fill you to overflowing. Amen.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We long for it, but never really
experience it completely. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Someday we will, and we look forward
to that day. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">We have moments in life that we
touch it briefly … </span><span style="font-family: arial;">But often these are just fading
moments that pass like a beautiful sunrise or sunset, ...</span><span style="font-family: arial;">And then life moves on… much too
quickly… and the moment is gone. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">We take vacations to find it, but
for some it never really comes. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And for others it seems as if they
always have it. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">What we truly long for …<b> is peace.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was younger and under a lot
of stress… operating a dairy farm. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Some days I wanted my world to just
stop pushing me forward. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Everything in my life was moving
faster and faster, … </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I had trouble keeping up … I wanted
a break. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">A day to just sleep in, a day of
rest, a day with no bills to pay, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">…no expectations placed on me, no
deadlines to meet, just a little peace and quiet.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Occasionally, I would drive the
tractor out to the back of the farm and hide from everyone… </span><span style="font-family: arial;">But I knew that as soon as I
returned home everything that I had neglected to do would still be waiting for
me. The thing about dairy farming was that the chores always had to be done …everyday…
milking every morning and every night… the same routine … </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Day in …day out… it never ended.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I loved it and I hated it! </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I longed for peace… sometimes I
found it briefly… and then it was gone.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I spent most of my time fixing
things… making due… hoping that tomorrow would be better than today… wanting do
overs… surviving. … and the peace I sought eluded me. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I envied others who could just get
up and leave, take vacations, carve out time for their families, get involved
in the community, …while I worked harder and harder with nothing to show for
all of my effort. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">PEACE was just a dream that I sought
but didn’t really find.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And God’s promise of peace seemed
artificial, unrealistic, and unobtainable. …</span><span style="font-family: arial;">Yet, because it came from God, I
knew in my heart that it was available and meant for me. I was looking for
emotional or physical peace. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>God’s peace is spiritual peace.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Often we hear people talk about
peace… world peace… the end of fighting or wars or conflicts or hunger or
homelessness or abusive relationships. These are all the result of sin. In the
world, as long as Satan still roams and sin is running its course, we will
continue to have all of these things. Godless people will do godless things to
hurt or harm others because they are by nature sinful and unclean. They live
loveless lives and follow after Satan, who has NO love in him. They live for
themselves, show very little mercy, and have no concept of peace.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I often acted out in anger, as a
godless person, hurting those around me, because of the sin within me, … and I
had a hard time of receiving God’s forgiveness because I had trouble believing
that He could forgive me. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I sought emotional peace, but
because I continued to carry the burden and guilt of my sin, the load within me
became heavier and heavier, and that peace I sought became more and more
distant from me… more fleeting… and out of reach.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One day I hit bottom… I had been
trying so hard to make my life right but to no avail… </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I was spent… physically…
emotionally… and spiritually spent ! </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I cried to God because I had nothing
left. </span><b><span style="font-family: arial;">He
heard my prayer.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He said, <b>“Trust ME! I AM ENOUGH FOR
YOU!”</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojCgYSa_Kf7sYIz92wsaM6aVaIpkzSJwsqL_nraKg5GVlB4wUYTpMYQdlH5dRSF-DZzbC4hD8X1BOcEbHAeoEJGOp2vW_Bmdin7hK8AVwJv4YdWT9cHA2K3ZpjG3UIr-OnQ59BZRie9VZjUNlo_8bF-2-DE3MCOpkcbfesHEbdZN5q82ifDYHf_0qGTI/s6000/editMorrisTownshipPark-1332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojCgYSa_Kf7sYIz92wsaM6aVaIpkzSJwsqL_nraKg5GVlB4wUYTpMYQdlH5dRSF-DZzbC4hD8X1BOcEbHAeoEJGOp2vW_Bmdin7hK8AVwJv4YdWT9cHA2K3ZpjG3UIr-OnQ59BZRie9VZjUNlo_8bF-2-DE3MCOpkcbfesHEbdZN5q82ifDYHf_0qGTI/w531-h353/editMorrisTownshipPark-1332.JPG" width="531" /></a></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Slowly … my fear, my guilt, my
worthlessness, started to be transformed. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I found myself become more at peace
and less angry. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I didn’t get set off or as upset
about breakdowns. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I found peace in everyday routines.
…Comfort in set schedules. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And I even found time to spend with
my family without experiencing the guilt of being lazy… I found some sense of
balance between work and play, family and community, time on hobbies and time
with God… peace has started to become more of a reality.</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Today is the third Sunday of Advent,
it is also known as Peace Sunday. We have the pink candle lit today to remind
us that Jesus came to bring us peace. Not the kind of peace that the world is
seeking, for because of sin the world hates Jesus. The world wants Jesus to
overlook their sin and join them in their prideful celebration of sin.</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>NO</b>, the peace that Jesus brings to
us is the cleansing of our sin. The removal of our sin by His death and
resurrection. The daily act of sanctification… confession and absolution…
washing and regeneration. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The assurance that He is capable of
removing our sin and that He is willing and eager to remove our sin. Jesus has
defeated Satan, destroyed the power of sin, and conquered death. In Jesus
Christ we need not live in fear… our sin has been forgiven. We have been washed
in the blood He shed for us on the cross.</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;">This washing is a spiritual washing,
an internal washing of our daily sin.</div></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;">How often do you wash your hands in
a given day? Five times or ten or maybe twenty or more? Daily Jesus is washing
away your sin … every dirty thought… sinful desire… fear… bitterness… contempt…
anger… envy… jealously… we daily sin much, yet out of love … Jesus continues to
sanctify us (that is He is washing our sin away making us clean within).</div></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><o:p><div style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> A</span></o:p><span style="font-family: arial;">nd that is where we start to
experience the peace of God… </span><span style="font-family: arial;">When we recognize that our sin is
forgiven and we except God’s forgiveness of our sin… our guilt starts to melt
away… peace starts to take its place… a peace that we can’t explain or even at
times comprehend begins to fill us from the inside… </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The triggers that used to set us off
… </span><b style="font-family: arial;">don’t. </b><span style="font-family: arial;">Conflicts with family or friends or
coworkers or even our spouse become more tolerable or manageable because we
have this inner peace… </span><b style="font-family: arial;">spiritual peace</b><span style="font-family: arial;">…
a peace that can only come from God… <b>the kind of peace that Jesus Christ brings
to us.</b></span></div></o:p></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;">It is a calm in the middle of a
storm. <span style="font-family: arial;">It is the assurance that God is in
control … that He is watching out for us … that He will provide us with the
strength to face whatever it is that we are facing … grief … or illness … or
financial hardship … or pressure and stress. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">We can trust Him. </span>He is with us. We are His children. </div></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He will provide for us. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And He will fill us (you) with His
peace.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Hear these words of comfort again
from Paul, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">“Rejoice always, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">pray without ceasing, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Do not quench the Spirit. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Do not despise prophecies,
but test everything; </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Hold
fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, and may
your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ. </span><b style="font-family: arial;">He who calls you is faithful; he will
surely do it</b><span style="font-family: arial;">.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (ESV)</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">We
pray, </span></i><span style="font-family: arial;">Lord Jesus as we make plans to
celebrate Your first coming, help us to be at peace in the midst of all of our
family plans and activities. Grant us joy in the celebration of our families.
Yet, continue to guide our thoughts and prepare our minds for Your second
coming. Keep our eyes focused on You that we would live throughout this season
for the glory of Your Holy Name. Amen.</span></div><p></p>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-84874916854685661852023-05-09T12:33:00.002-05:002023-05-09T12:38:16.800-05:00Three Simple Words<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xkuDPs_YUo6QdI3a5kfJGjBXKqhtr5QGknuQ4SuvPtc_Wu9vLq78UVbKE9fJfQ3ZuMmeaTCdwtBDpLy2yfsumLrrQT46mgmmuM8h99MtCao-bLI7gMpYwSMOygOLfdbFF5N7XRWckpJIPnPzWf26UAnGuokcC1N-z8MMOogZpZOb3PwCfmtw9BQ3/s6000/IMG_1157a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xkuDPs_YUo6QdI3a5kfJGjBXKqhtr5QGknuQ4SuvPtc_Wu9vLq78UVbKE9fJfQ3ZuMmeaTCdwtBDpLy2yfsumLrrQT46mgmmuM8h99MtCao-bLI7gMpYwSMOygOLfdbFF5N7XRWckpJIPnPzWf26UAnGuokcC1N-z8MMOogZpZOb3PwCfmtw9BQ3/w563-h375/IMG_1157a.JPG" width="563" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I couldn't sleep last night and woke up working out this poem in my head. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I got and grabbed a pad and pencil to write it down before it disappeared.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It is titled... </span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Three Simple Words<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You are not the first to hear these words</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nor will you be the last.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’ve said them thousands of times before<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">And will thousands of times again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">That doesn’t mean that they mean any less than they did at
the first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">From deep within they express my every thought<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My passion and desire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They express my joy and flood my eyes with tears<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They cry out in pain when you are far <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">and burst out in relief when you are near.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But it is not enough to just say the words<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I need to show you too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is nothing I wouldn’t stop to do<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">To express the way I feel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They are who I AM.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They are so much more than these three simple words… I LOVE
YOU!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They are who I AM!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They are what I say and do<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some will understand and some they never do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They are who I AM!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">That’s why I say the words by what I say and do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They testify to my most inner being<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">To what is truly true.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They are who I say I AM.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">That’s why I say these simple words…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I LOVE YOU!<span style="mso-tab-count: 9;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">(Peter
Keyes 5-9-2023)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was thinking how we can love so many people in our lives and still never come close to the capacity that God has to love the whole of creation. He is Love. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">May that bring you comfort today. Blessings, Peter.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p>DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-54964585141294694292017-04-28T17:00:00.004-05:002017-04-28T17:00:57.646-05:00Empty Promises!<h2>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Empty Promises! We like Peter deny Jesus out of fear. </span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>John 13:36-38 (GW)</b> <br />
<sup>3<i>6 </i></sup><i> Simon Peter asked him,
“Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “You can't follow me now to
the place where I'm going. However, you will follow me later.” <br />
<sup>37 </sup> Peter said to Jesus,
“Lord, why can't I follow you now? I'll give my life for you.” <br />
<sup>38 </sup> Jesus replied, “Will you
give your life for me? I can guarantee this truth: No rooster will crow until
you say three times that you don't know me. </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(God’s Word, Copyright 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society, </i><i><a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a></i><i>)</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Living
daily by faith requires daily surrender.</b>
We cannot stand on our strength, trust in our ability, or faithfully serve God
by sheer determination. No matter how sincere, how committed, or how strongly
we desire to follow God and live for Him; we will fail if we try to live by our
own power and might, human ambition, or desire to please others. The life of
faith comes through the death of our sin-filled self-nature (our old Adam). However,
that sin-filled self-nature does not die without a battle and self-preservation
can cause us to deny even our closest friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If we were in Peter’s place would we
have denied Jesus?</b> Maybe we need to take a closer look into our lifestyle or
our daily encounters with people; do we try to hide our light of faith to keep
our friendships intact? Do we keep our mouths shut when we are given
opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus with a neighbor, a relative, or a
friend? Denial can take the form of silence just as easily as a verbal
expression. Fear can cause us to keep our mouths shut or to say things we don’t
really mean or believe just to avoid conflict and confrontation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our human
nature</b>, that sin-filled self-nature, continues to fight for the control of our
life. It fills us with fear and anxiety. It puts self-preservation ahead of friends,
family, and even our faith. It needs to be put in its proper place, every day! It needs to be reminded that it has
been rendered powerless by the power of God’s Spirit in the waters of our
Baptism. Thank God for the gift of Baptism! It is God’s gift of grace. It
serves as a constant reminder that the old Adam has been drowned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our life in Christ is a life of submission
and surrender</b>, the death of self and new life in Christ. We live by the power
of God in us. We live for Him, through His strength, dependent upon Him,
renewed by Him, by faith in Him – faith that was given as a gift from Him. Our
old self is nothing and will only cause us to sin and fail. Our new self,
living in submission and under the power and authority of Jesus Christ, has the
power to resist sin, speak words of truth, and proclaim Jesus as Lord even if
it causes us to face ridicule, persecution, or death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is our daily struggle.</b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We fail,
God forgives! We fail, God forgives! Again and again! And through this struggle
God helps us to grow in our faith. He teaches us to depend on His strength and
to trust in His provision instead of our old self-serving nature.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dear Lord</b>, Give me the courage to
trust in your strength and to resist the self-preservation of my sinful
self-serving nature. Humble me. Forgive me. Fill me with Your Spirit. Crush the
fear of disbelief and allow me to rest in the peace of your authority over my
life. </i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-22311737233251674072016-10-17T21:40:00.000-05:002017-08-29T12:28:35.572-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 40<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Subtitle: </b><b>There is hope! God has not left us on our own!</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Psalm 40:1-17 (GW) </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>1 </sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I waited patiently for the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span>. He turned to me and heard my cry for help.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>2 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>3 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He placed a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see this and worship. They will trust the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span>.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>4 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blessed is the person who places his confidence in the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span> and does not rely on arrogant people or those who follow lies.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>5 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You have done many miraculous things, O <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span> my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>6 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You were not pleased with sacrifices and offerings. You have dug out two ears for me. You did not ask for burnt offerings or sacrifices for sin.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>7 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I said, “I have come! (It is written about me in the scroll of the book.)</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>8 </sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I am happy to do your will, O my God.” Your teachings are deep within me.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>9 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will announce the good news of righteousness among those assembled for worship. I will not close my lips. You know that, O <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span>.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>10 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have not buried your righteousness deep in my heart. I have been outspoken about your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not hidden your mercy and your truth from those assembled for worship.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>11 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do not withhold your compassion from me, O <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span>. May your mercy and your truth always protect me.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>12 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Countless evils have surrounded me. My sins have caught up with me so that I can no longer see. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost heart.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>13 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">O <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span>, please rescue me! Come quickly to help me, O <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span>!</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>14 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let all those who seek to end my life be confused and put to shame. Let those who want my downfall be turned back and disgraced.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>15 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be stunned by their own shame.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup>16 </sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad because of you. Let those who love your salvation continually say, “The <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span> is great!”</span><br />
</span><sup>17 </sup> But I am oppressed and needy. May the Lord think of me. You are my help and my savior. O my God, do not delay! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I started this series of reflections I wanted to create a tool that would encourage others to share their faith with confidence knowing that God’s Word does not return empty. I had set a goal of posting once a week, as life’s challenges and other activities got in the way, I changed my goal to posting once per month, even that goal became difficult to maintain. I originally thought that it would take me three years to get through the 150 Psalms (averaging one per week). When I recalculated my goals, I thought I would get to Psalm 40 in about three years (posting 13 times per year). It was doable but not obtained. Here I am, 6 years later, finally posting a reflection on Psalm 40.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many things have happened over the past 6 years, in my ministry, in the world in which we live, and in the life of the church. Six years ago, I would never have thought that marriage in our country would be redefined to include two women or two men in union with each other, (from a biblical perspective, it is impossible to join two men or two women together in a marital relationship), but now according to our government it is legal. As shocking as that is, just this month, so called sane elected officials, are mandating that boys who want to identify as girls should be allowed to change and shower in the same facilities as girls and girls who want to identify as boys should be allowed to change and shower in the same facilities as boys. Any school, official, parent, child (either boy or girl) that objects is subject to punishment under anti-discrimination rules, loss of federal support, or some other form of punishment. All of this makes me want to shout out in anger some, not so very kind words. It appears that morality in America has fallen into a “horrible pit”.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">David wrote, “I waited patiently for the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span>. He turned to me and heard my cry for help. He pulled me out of a horrible pit, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock and made my steps secure. He placed a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see this and worship. They will trust the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span>. Blessed is the person who places his confidence in the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span> and does not rely on arrogant people or those who follow lies. You have done many miraculous things, O <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span> my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count.” Psalm 40:1-5</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>There is hope! God has not left us on our own!</b> God has already sent His son Jesus Christ into the world to destroy the power of Satan and pay the price for our sin. Those who are influenced by Satan would have us believe in lies. Satan would have us believe that each individual has the right to do whatever feels right for them, that individuals don’t need God, or need to follow the natural laws that God created that establish order in the world. When Satan convinced the elite of the world that they evolved from lower beings and that we are continually evolving, he opened the door for the perversion of our entire society. And our society, like many that have gone before, will be reduced to nothing, because it is of the world.</span><br />
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</b> <b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where does our hope come from? It comes from the LORD.</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> David’s empire was built by the help of the LORD. David also experienced multiple trials; personal family rebellion, personal attacks, corruption within the ranks, and moral failures. However, David also recognized the authority of God in his life and leaned on God to rescue him from his enemies. Even in the midst of persecution, David professed and proclaimed his faith in God, the only one who had the ability to control the outcome of his life. David laid it on the LORD to redeem him. We must do the same! Only God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit – the Triune God) can provide and deliver us from the evil in this world. Only God, through the work of Jesus Christ, can redeem and forgive the sins of those who hate Him. Only God, the true God, the God of the Bible, through the power of the Holy Spirit can lead someone to faith in Jesus Christ. Our role is to proclaim the good news trusting that God, through the power of His Word, will produce the results.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have decided that this is a fitting place to end this journey. I have a dream to create these reflections into a forty-day meditation series for lent or some other occasion. They would be edited and would include four parts. First, the reading of a Psalm for the day; second, the reflection on BOLD outreach promises; third, a place for discussion questions and answers; forth, a place to journal highlighted by a photo from God’s creation.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The BOLD Outreach blog will continue with a broader focus in the future as I will share highlights from outreach based resources and personal stories of encounters with people along the way. Until next time, blessings as you </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BOLD</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ with the people God places in your path.</span><br />
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DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-54453657032053577672016-02-01T22:41:00.000-06:002016-02-01T22:41:14.148-06:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 39<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Subtitle: What is the value of our work?</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Psalm 39:4-7 (GW)<br /> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><sup>4 </sup> “Teach me, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, about
the end of my life. Teach me about the number of days I have left so that I may
know how temporary my life is.<br /> </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><sup>5 </sup> Indeed, you have made the
length of my days {only} a few inches. My life span is nothing compared to
yours. Certainly, everyone alive is like a whisper in the wind. Selah<br /> </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><sup>6 </sup> Each person who walks
around is like a shadow. They are busy for no reason. They accumulate riches
without knowing who will get them.”<br /> </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><sup>7 </sup> And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? <b>My hope is in you!</b></span> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God’s Word, </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Copyright 1995 by </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God’s
Word to the Nations Bible Society</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.godsword.org/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.godsword.org</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is the value of our work?
</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we spend our days working
for material gain to the neglect of our families or other relationships, who
will benefit when our life comes to an end?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we encourage our children
to get good grades and push them to focus on their financial future, while we
neglect to teach them about Jesus Christ and the faith required for their
eternal life; Have we wasted the time we have been given and the opportunities
to really make an eternal difference in the lives of those we claim to love?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We keep the peace in our
families while we watch those we love walk away from God and the salvation that
only Jesus Christ can bring. Is this really love? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love tells the truth, even if
it hurts, because love means we care for the eternal safety and salvation of
those we love. Love isn’t afraid to hurt the feelings of those we love if in
the end we save them from eternal destruction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is the value of our work?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God has told us that our works
will be tried by fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If what we have done is built
with straw it will be consumed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand if what we
have done is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ then it will last. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Relationships forged from steel are formed in fires where the truth is spoken
in love and where faith in Christ is put to the test. Peace on earth isn’t
nearly as important as forming a relationship with the one who has the power to
forgive or destroy sin and the unrepentant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is the value of our work?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To point our children,
families members, or loved one to the one who saves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> David knows that this one is
the LORD, the Redeemer, the Savior, the Messiah.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We know that this is Jesus
Christ, the Sent One, the Son of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He lived, died, and rose from
the dead. He gives us life worth living.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we would only spend half as
much time pointing our children to Jesus as we do pushing them to achieve
better grades in school, our time would be better spent. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the education and money
in the world cannot make up for an eternity spent in Hell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet there is good news, a </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BOLD Outreach </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>promise</b> from God; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>OUR HOPE IS IN JESUS!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus will rescue those who
call upon Him for help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Spend your time wisely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Teach
your children about Jesus their Savior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>He will save those who trust
in Him. </b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-25974274380789424572015-12-26T19:42:00.001-06:002015-12-26T19:42:41.383-06:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 38<h2>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Subtitle: A “Come to Jesus” moment.</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Psalm 38:1-22 (GW) </b><br />
<i><b>O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>,
do not angrily punish me or discipline me in your wrath.</b> Your arrows have
struck me. Your hand has struck me hard. No healthy spot is left on my body
because of your rage. There is no peace in my bones because of my sin. <b>My guilt has overwhelmed me. Like a heavy
load, it is more than I can bear.</b> <b>My
wounds smell rotten. They fester because of my stupidity. I am bent over and
bowed down very low. All day I walk around in mourning. My insides are filled
with burning pain, and no healthy spot is left on my body. I am numb and
completely devastated. I roar because my heart's in turmoil. You know all my
desires, O Lord, and my groaning has not been hidden from you. My heart is
pounding. I have lost my strength. Even the light of my eyes has left me.</b> My
loved ones and my friends keep their distance and my relatives stand far away
because of my sickness. Those who seek my life lay traps for me. Those who are
out to harm me talk about ruining me. All day long they think of ways to
deceive me. But I am like a person who cannot hear and like a person who cannot
speak. I am like one who cannot hear and who can offer no arguments. <b>But I wait with hope for you, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. You will answer, O Lord, my God.</b>
I said, “Do not let them gloat over me. When my foot slips, do not let them
promote themselves at my expense.” <b>I am
ready to fall. I am continually aware of my pain.</b> <b>I confess my guilt. My sin troubles me.</b> My mortal enemies are
growing stronger. Many hate me for no reason. They pay me back with evil
instead of good, and they accuse me because I try to do what is good. <b>Do not abandon me, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. O my God, do not be so distant
from me. Come quickly to help me, O Lord, my savior.</b> </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s
Word to the Nations Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The weight of
the LAW is a crushing burden.</b> It kills a mortal man because of his sin. Without
a savior we would all be without hope. If this psalm sounds like the nightmare
of a living hell, well that is the reality of living in sin in a sin filled
world. We have a few choices, but none of them will help us fix the problem. We
can try to drown the pain in alcohol or take the edge off with pain killers and
drugs. However, the reality of these attempts only mask the real problem and cause
more pain in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sin is like
an infection, unchecked it will only get worse.</b> What is rotten on the inside
starts to ooze and smell and drive people away. The body cannot heal itself
without outside help. It needs the skilled hands of a surgeon to remove
infected tissue and clean up the surrounding area. There is only one who can do
this. This is the work of the one who created us in His image and who is able
to recreate us again. Our Lord and Savior Jesus is the only one who is able to
remove the sin and guilt from our lives and give us a new life in Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jesus is able to
do this because He met the demands of the LAW</b> by standing in the path of our
punishing blows and taking them upon himself. Our Savior died in our place to
set us free from the punishment of our sin. Death had no power over Him because
He lived without sin. He came back to life and gives eternal life to everyone
who trusts in the forgiveness and salvation He provides. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes we
have doubts and the guilt comes back to haunt us</b>. We wonder out loud if God really
paid the full price for our sin. We let despair get the best of us and we try
to escape the pain on our own. We don’t like to hear the words that condemn us,
but we need to understand that they are meant for our good. We cannot by our
own power or strength believe in God or come to Him, we cannot come to Him with
anything to offer in exchange for our salvation, we can only come us beggars
pleading for mercy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is the broken and
contrite that will receive forgiveness and salvation.</b> And that leads us to the <b>BOLD Outreach</b> promise of this psalm. <u>No
one is beyond help!</u> Every broken person who trusts in Jesus Christ, the Savior / Messiah, will be rescued from the destruction of sin now and into eternity. Some have called it
their “Come to Jesus” moment. It is truly an awakening that opens our eyes to
the helplessness of who we are, and the reality of who our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is. It is God's LOVE for us that compelled Him to die for our sins. He wants everyone to be with Him for eternity. He forgives those who ask for forgiveness and surrender their lives to His will. He grants eternal life to everyone who trusts in Him for salvation. <b>BOLDLY GO and TELL others this GOOD NEWS!</b></span></span>DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-34480652993468051322015-07-18T22:57:00.000-05:002015-07-18T22:57:17.095-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 37<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Subtitle: Let it Go, Trust in the LORD</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Psalm 37:1-10 (GW) </b><br />
<sup>1 </sup> <i>Do not be preoccupied with
evildoers. Do not envy those who do wicked things. <br />
<sup>2 </sup> They will quickly dry up
like grass and wither away like green plants. <br />
<sup>3 </sup> Trust the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, and do good things. Live in the
land, and practice being faithful. <br />
<sup>4 </sup> Be happy with the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, and he will give you the desires
of your heart. <br />
<sup>5 </sup> Entrust your ways to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. Trust him, and he will act {on
your behalf}. <br />
<sup>6 </sup> He will make your
righteousness shine like a light, your just cause like the noonday sun. <br />
<sup>7 </sup> Surrender yourself to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, and wait patiently for him. Do not
be preoccupied with {an evildoer} who succeeds in his way when he carries out
his schemes. <br />
<sup>8 </sup> Let go of anger, and leave
rage behind. Do not be preoccupied. It only leads to evil. <br />
<sup>9 </sup> Evildoers will be cut off
{from their inheritance}, but those who wait with hope for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> will inherit the land. <sup>10 </sup> In a little while a wicked person
will vanish. Then you can carefully examine where he was, but there will be no
trace of him.</i><b><i> </i><br />
</b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s
Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word
to the Nations Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There seems to be a preoccupation with evildoers these days. It makes news;
something exciting to talk about, it sparks our curiosity. Every night the news
is filled with some story about an evildoer, such as, ISIS and the war against
anyone ISIS considers an infidel. Or the battle against God’s design for marriage,
or the behavior of an extremist gunmen, or the defense of those who hold a total
disregard for unborn children, and the list goes on and on. Little is said
about the rejection of God’s Word and warnings of condemnation for not
following God’s commandments, but that would be politically incorrect and
biased and might cause the feelings of non-believers to be hurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scientism has become our new standard for religion. Human
reason, lust, the fulfillment of personal desires, financial security, sexual
freedom, entertainment, personal achievements, and PC (Pseudo Christ – the LOVE
God who looks the other way and says “That’s OK, enjoy yourselves, I’ll always
love you.”), have become alternate idols to bow down and worship. Evolution has
become the acceptable explanation for the origin of earth and mankind. Equality
will soon mean equal to all other animals on the planet with equal protection
against use for food, clothing, or death for the benefit of mankind. (Unless
you are an unwanted, or unplanned, unborn baby human – no assumed rights will
be granted; however, if a dog or cat were treated the same way unborn children
are treated PETA would be all up in arms about the inhumanity of the treatment.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So much for my venting, it is easy to become preoccupied by
the actions of evildoers. God has a few choice words of advice for me.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“</i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do not be preoccupied with evildoers.
Do not envy those who do wicked things. They will quickly dry up like grass and
wither away like green plants.”</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 37:1-2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My LORD has promised to provide forgiveness of sin for me,
for you, for ALL of us who place our trust in HIM. The evildoers do not believe
in the LORD. Anyone who does not believe in the forgiveness provided by Jesus
Christ’s death will not receive forgiveness, without forgiveness the penalty
for sin remains intact. The penalty for sin is eternal separation from God in a
place we call Hell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The evildoer has only one hope for salvation; it is the same
as ours, which is forgiveness through Jesus Christ. They need our pity. They
need our prayers. They need our presence. They need to be shown the love of
Jesus Christ. Do not become angry with those who are doing evil for they do not
know what they are doing. They are under the control of their master, Satan.
They need to be set free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On this side of heaven we struggle with sin and the
temptation to chase after evil desires, or lustful pleasures. Daily we need to
be set free from sin that would keep us from trusting in Jesus Christ. Daily we
need to surrender ourselves to the LORD. Daily we need to wait with hope for
the LORD who delivers us from sin. Once we were evildoers, but now we are
forgiven. Our past deeds are forgotten by the LORD who erases all of our sin.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“</i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surrender yourself to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, and wait patiently for him. Do not
be preoccupied with {an evildoer} who succeeds in his way when he carries out
his schemes. Let go of anger, and leave rage behind. Do not be preoccupied. It
only leads to evil. Evildoers will be cut off {from their inheritance}, but
those who wait with hope for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
will inherit the land. In a little while a wicked person will vanish. Then you
can carefully examine where he was, but there will be no trace of him.” Psalm
37:7-10</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If God can forgive my sin, He can also forgive
the sins of those who haven’t yet trusted in Him. Our BOLD Outreach Promise in
this chapter is that everyone who trusts in the LORD will be made righteous.
Their sin will be removed and they will inherit eternal life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“</span><i style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Entrust your ways to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. Trust him, and he will act {on
your behalf}. He will make your righteousness shine like a light, your just
cause like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:5-6 </span></i></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></i></span>DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-87581968071630047472015-06-16T22:43:00.000-05:002015-06-25T20:32:20.804-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 36<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Subtitle: An Inspired Truth… Rebellion separates us from
God. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">However,
God’s mercy keeps us from getting what we deserve.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Psalm 36:1-12 (GW) </b><br />
<sup>1 </sup><b><u>There is an inspired truth about the wicked person who has rebellion
in the depths of his heart:</u></b> <u>He is not terrified of God.</u> <sup>2 </sup><u>He flatters himself and does not
hate or {even} recognize his guilt.</u> <sup>3 </sup><u>The
words from his mouth are {nothing but} trouble and deception</u>. <u>He has
stopped doing what is wise and good.</u> <sup>4 </sup>He
invents trouble while lying on his bed and chooses to go the wrong direction. <u>He
does not reject evil.</u> <sup>5 </sup><b>O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>,
your mercy reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. <sup>6</sup> Your righteousness is like the mountains of God, your judgments like the deep ocean. You save people and
animals, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. <sup>7 </sup>Your mercy is so precious, O God, that
Adam's descendants take refuge in the shadow of your wings. <sup>8 </sup>They are refreshed with the rich foods
in your house, and you make them drink from the river of your pleasure. <sup>9 </sup>Indeed, the fountain of life is with
you. In your light we see light. <sup>10 </sup>Continue
to show your mercy to those who know you and your righteousness to those whose
motives are decent. </b><sup>11 </sup><u>Do
not let the feet of arrogant people step on me or the hands of wicked people
push me away</u>. <sup>12 </sup>Look at
the troublemakers who have fallen. They have been pushed down and are unable to
stand up again. </i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word to the Nations Bible
Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first
thought in reading this Psalm is to say, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr14pyDj0Mj1qFT1tvE1YVWD-fI-25RTEyMVP2SlTmt7GtkVRe5jCGKNCYTRHOpLqAD9GfoWqCwAFbKTffzqeUmBSBej6Hf6fhzQTKx_OzVvL6oi1ozZ_5XeXkNICOZkPm3YPB4r9z5UM/s1600/IMG_20140625_114349_862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr14pyDj0Mj1qFT1tvE1YVWD-fI-25RTEyMVP2SlTmt7GtkVRe5jCGKNCYTRHOpLqAD9GfoWqCwAFbKTffzqeUmBSBej6Hf6fhzQTKx_OzVvL6oi1ozZ_5XeXkNICOZkPm3YPB4r9z5UM/s320/IMG_20140625_114349_862.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Thank God I
am not one of the wicked ones who has rebellion in his heart!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Thank God I
know who Jesus is!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I have been
given salvation because God knows my motives are decent!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really? “I have had nothing to do with my own
salvation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I have been
saved because God is extremely merciful!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
difference between me and someone who doesn’t believe in God is the gift of
faith. I know without a doubt that I deserve to spend eternity in HELL. I am
dependent upon the grace and mercy of the ONE who has the power and authority
to punish me forever. I have only one hope – GOD’S MERCY. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God in His
mercy provided a way for us all to be set free from the punishment of sin. God
took that punishment upon Himself by becoming one with us in the God/Man, Jesus
Christ. He came into our world, lived and died in our place, and rose to life
breaking the power of death. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(The non-believer
denies that Jesus is God, or that there is a hell, or that their sins will be
punished. They live for themselves, their pride, their legacy, but not for God.)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His mercy
reaches to the heavens… His mercy is so
precious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His mercy
gives us the fountain of life… His mercy
takes us from the darkness of HELL’S destruction and places us in the light of
God’s Son, our Savior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His mercy
continues…to be poured out on us…who continue to sin and rebel against Him…even
when we know the truth…and claim Him as Lord. We depend on His mercy…it is our
only hope for salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SQZf7BDdmp89LKrCoL06u9WGn8uAWjxFwynxyG2dFUevp3pyyyodVw1mgenYYRjPdsK7f5ja_YXQULafRm0gnnPLFlg2q_a44LBV1R_65yEF48Z2J01QFA4BYp8HbTIEwM6nXkma8vE/s1600/IMG_20150610_193452_639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SQZf7BDdmp89LKrCoL06u9WGn8uAWjxFwynxyG2dFUevp3pyyyodVw1mgenYYRjPdsK7f5ja_YXQULafRm0gnnPLFlg2q_a44LBV1R_65yEF48Z2J01QFA4BYp8HbTIEwM6nXkma8vE/s200/IMG_20150610_193452_639.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allow me to have a healthy fear of you, O
LORD. Keep me humble in your presence.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me wash away my guilt and sins in the
mercy of your righteous blood.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You lived and died so I might be free from
the punishment of my own sins.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sins
of arrogance… sins of rebellion… sins of flattery… sins of deception, trouble,
evil schemes, this list could go on and on… I don’t deserve God’s grace, but I
will rest in it, because it is where my hope comes from.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the
Outreach Promise in this Psalm: God’s mercy extends far beyond the deepest
ocean or even the highest mountain. Mercy is available to everyone who is
crushed by the weight of their sin. Mercy is what mercy does; it spares us from
the punishment we deserve, when we recognize that we deserve to be punished for
our sins and throw ourselves on the mercy of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God has
spoken “Call on me for help, and I will deliver you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in other
place, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are no
sins that God cannot forgive! Call on
Him, today! He will grant you mercy and
forgiveness.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-90663559978382767002015-03-22T22:21:00.000-05:002015-06-25T20:32:35.614-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 35<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Subtitle:
Being On the Winning Team</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Psalm 35:1-4, 9-18 </b><i>(By David) O </i><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span><i>,
attack those who attack me. Fight against those who fight against me. </i><b style="font-style: italic;">Use your shields, {both} small and large.
Arise to help me.</b> <b style="font-style: italic;">Hold your spear to
block the way of those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your savior.” </b><i>Let
those who seek my life be put to shame and disgraced. Let those who plan my
downfall be turned back in confusion. … </i><b style="font-style: italic;">My
soul will find joy in the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> and
be joyful about his salvation. All my bones will say, “O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, who can compare with you? You
rescue the weak person from the one who is too strong for him and weak and
needy people from the one who robs them.” </b><i>Malicious people bring charges
against me. They ask me things I know nothing about. I am devastated because
they pay me back with evil instead of good. But when they were sick, I wore
sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting. When my prayer returned unanswered, I
walked around as if I were mourning for my friend or my brother. I was bent
over as if I were mourning for my mother. Yet, when I stumbled, they rejoiced
and gathered together. They gathered together against me. Unknown attackers
tore me apart without stopping. With crude and abusive mockers, they grit their
teeth at me. O Lord, how long will you look on? </i><b style="font-style: italic;">Rescue me from their attacks.</b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(God’s Word, Copyright
1995 by God’s Word to the Nations
Bible Society, </span><a href="http://www.godsword.org/" style="font-size: small;">www.godsword.org</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GOD IS OUR SHIELD! </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He
takes the blows that were meant for us. He is stuck with arrows and darts of
the enemy, hit with the sword, beaten on by those stronger than we are and
through it all He defends us. He fights for us! He blocks the attackers and
engages in the battle so we can escape. Our God rescues us from those who hate
us because of him.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are in a spiritual
battle against the followers of Satan.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> They hate us, because their master
Satan hates God and anyone who follows Him. At times it may seem that we are
being defeated but the reality is it is only Satan’s smoke as he goes down in
defeat. Satan’s army is like that of many terrorist groups; misguided, cruel,
arrogant, self-absorbed, and full of hate and vengeance. They hate the truth
because it exposes the lies that they have been taught from their youth. Satan
has convinced them to believe in lies, lies that many nations have listened to
and followed for centuries, lies that some in America also believe, lies that
convince them that they can buy their way into heaven by performing specific
deeds, living a particular way, eating certain foods, dressing in a particular
style or following certain rituals. These lie believers come in various shapes,
and cultural forms, and don’t always believe the same lies, but they have one
thing in common – </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THEY HATE THE TRUTH!</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The followers of
Satan are truth deniers!</b> Truth exposes their short-comings, their
insecurities, their failed logic, their deep-seated evil thoughts and desires.
Truth will humble them, so they muster up hatred and fight against truth lest
they might be considered weak in the eyes of others. They especially hate God
because God’s truth brings humility. They embrace Satan’s (truth) which is a
lie, because it gives them the false sense of power and control. They consider
humility and mercy as weakness and resist grace because of pride. Because of
sin they have an internal hatred of everything that is pleasing to God. (As followers
of Jesus we were at one time controlled by Satan and sin and stood in
opposition to God, but by the power of God we were brought to a place of
humility and surrender to the grace and mercy of God and received forgiveness
of sins and the promise of eternal life.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We don’t stand a
chance in the crosshairs of Satan’s weapons</b>, but our loving Lord steps into
the path and takes the hit. He rescues the humbled, protects and defends the
helpless, He gives life those who call on Him. He is my shield and my defender.
He frees me from the entrapments of Satan and blesses me with eternal gifts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our BOLD Outreach
promise is this:</b> God’s Word will deliver those who hear it and who by faith
call out to Him for mercy. God has already taken the punishment for our sin
upon Himself and has struck Satan with a fatal blow. When Satan, in his attempt
to destroy God (by having Jesus die on the cross), gave His best shot using the
religious leaders and Roman authorities to carry out his work, seceded in his
ill-fated plan. The power of death, the hold that Satan may have claimed on
God’s creation was destroyed, and with that, Satan’s power was rendered
ineffective. Satan is still selling a lie. He has been defeated, yet continues
to convince people that He still has the power to fulfil their selfish desires
and ambitions.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Evil still exists in
the world</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, but for believers in Christ its effect is only a temporary
condition, because eternal life with Jesus Christ waits all who believe in Him
as their Savior. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is fitting place
to end this reflection and a timely place as we approach the end of Lent and
the beginning of the Passion Week. It is also March madness and I know who will
be the victorious ones. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The winning team is – TEAM JESUS.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-56250460910626372122015-01-12T21:50:00.003-06:002015-06-25T20:32:49.490-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 34<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Subtitle: God will always provide for us!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My challenge</b> in writing this blog is
to find new expressions and insights for a theme that is repeated multiple
times by David throughout the Psalms. The words of promise that jump out at me
are the same ones that were used in almost every preceding Psalm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I went to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> for help. He answered me and
rescued me from all my fears. All who look to him will be radiant. Their faces
will never be covered with shame. Here is a poor man who called out. The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> heard him and saved him from all
his troubles. The Messenger of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
camps around those who fear him, and he rescues them. Taste and see that the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> is good. Blessed is the person who
takes refuge in him.” </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 34:4-8 </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word to the Nations Bible
Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Everyone</b>
who calls out to God, who trusts in the promises of God, who believes that God
alone can save them, who recognizes that they are incapable of obtaining
salvation on their own, will receive salvation though Jesus Christ. It is the
Messenger (Jesus Christ) who rescues us from our sin, death, and the devil. It
is Jesus’ death and resurrection that saves us from our sin. He is the One we
can take refuge in. What He has to offer is GOOD, because He provides for us
the greatest gift we could ever ask for, of which we are so undeserving,
everlasting life with God in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So
why</b> does David keep repeating this same theme over and over, again and again in
his Psalms? Maybe, just maybe, he needed to remind himself of the blessings
that come from living a life of dependence on God’s promises. He had just left
the company of the Philistines. He was living the life of fugitive. King Saul
was trying to kill him. Anyone who tried to protect him was putting their life
at risk. David needed a place to hide and last place Saul would look for him
was in the company of the Israelites worst enemies, the hated Philistines! But,
his life was in danger there also, so David pretended to be insane. He acted
like he had rabies! He was foaming and drooling from the mouth. Not a pretty
sight for the future king. Well, the Philistines didn’t want him hanging around
their camp either so they threw him out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Have
you</b> ever been rejected by everyone? Your people, your relatives, and even your
enemies! David wrote, “Here is a poor man who called out.” And when he did he
received comfort from God. This comfort came in form of peace, a peace of knowing
that God would take care of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“Young lions go hungry and may
starve, but those who seek the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD'S</span>
help have all the good things they need. Come, children, listen to me. I will
teach you the fear of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>.
Which of you wants a full life? Who would like to live long enough to enjoy
good things? Keep your tongue from saying evil things and your lips from
speaking deceitful things. Turn away from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and
pursue it! The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD'S</span> eyes are on
righteous people. His ears hear their cry for help.”</i>
Psalm 34:10-15 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright
1995 by <i>God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAciMQDznRHDlEAoXE8LZN2c-a8_OFfuCOG7Y1E8A5AIz2A9fY2zv_iSSbdnY5vJk2NoRa0RHInldQ99MhwAeI1-_fY7n_XTNpEuWDaXSRHDCdTNKL4Q3A87orDm0IkA1wyiRZ_LoB6C4/s1600/looking+at+Egwana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAciMQDznRHDlEAoXE8LZN2c-a8_OFfuCOG7Y1E8A5AIz2A9fY2zv_iSSbdnY5vJk2NoRa0RHInldQ99MhwAeI1-_fY7n_XTNpEuWDaXSRHDCdTNKL4Q3A87orDm0IkA1wyiRZ_LoB6C4/s1600/looking+at+Egwana.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Maybe</b>
like David we need to be reminded over and over, again and again that God will
take care of us. We forget so quickly what He has done for us. A new day comes,
new trials, new temptations, new failures, and new doubts! And so like David we
need to constantly be reminded that God will provide for us. <b>Here is our BOLD
outreach promise:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
is near to those whose hearts are humble. He saves those whose spirits are
crushed. The righteous person has many troubles, but the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> rescues him from all of them. The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> guards all of his bones. Not one of
them is broken.”</i> Psalm 34:18-20 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word to the Nations Bible
Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
broken heart is restored by God’s power.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When your spirit is crushed God gives
you His spirit of peace. God is always in control. Even after Jesus died on the
cross, His bones were protected from being broken just as God stated a 1,000
years earlier. God’s Word never changes. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He will always restore and make
righteous those who trust in Him.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-88911307723774172132014-11-24T21:58:00.000-06:002015-06-25T20:33:07.930-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 33<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Subtitle:
Thank God for His Saving Grace</span></b></div>
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<i><sup><b>“</b></sup><b>Joyfully sing to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, you righteous people. Praising
{the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>} is proper for decent
people. Give thanks with a lyre to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>.
Make music for him on a ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song to him. Play
beautifully and joyfully on stringed instruments. </b>The word of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> is correct, and everything he does
is trustworthy. The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> loves
righteousness and justice. His mercy fills the earth. The heavens were made by
the word of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> and all the
stars by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the water in the sea like a dam
and puts the oceans in his storehouses. Let all the earth fear the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. Let all who live in the world
stand in awe of him. He spoke, and it came into being. He gave the order, and
there it stood. The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> blocks
the plans of the nations. He frustrates the schemes of the people of the world.
The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD'S</span> plan stands firm
forever. His thoughts stand firm in every generation. Blessed is the nation
whose God is the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. Blessed are
the people he has chosen as his own. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
looks down from heaven. He sees all of Adam's descendants. From the place where
he sits enthroned, he looks down upon all who live on earth. The one who formed
their hearts understands everything they do. No king achieves a victory with a
large army. No warrior rescues himself by his own great strength. Horses are
not a guarantee for victory. Their great strength cannot help someone escape. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>“The
<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD'S</span> eyes are on those who fear
him, on those who wait with hope for his mercy to rescue their souls from death
and keep them alive during a famine. We wait for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts find
joy. In his holy name we trust. Let your mercy rest on us, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, since we wait with hope for you</b>.” </i><b>Psalm 33:1-22 </b><o:p></o:p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(God’s
Word, Copyright 1995 by God’s
Word to the Nations Bible Society, </i><a href="http://www.godsword.org/"><i>www.godsword.org</i></a><i>)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is Thanksgiving week.</b> It is a
time when (at least in the past) we would take time to pause and thank God for
every blessing we had received from Him and then we would, in good Sabbath
fashion, feast on the bounty of those provisions. However, lately it seems that for many Thanksgiving has become the day to check their list of Christmas wants against
the Black Friday specials and plan their strategy for scoring the most for the
least. Thanking the ONE who has provided for their means has become secondary to
acquiring more for themselves. Oh they can justify their actions by saying that they are being good stewards or thrifty or they are just doing their part to stimulate
the economy and keep their neighbors employed. But then if someone looks hard enough they can find justification
for every action in one way or another. So before we join in that rush to the store for
that once in a life-time bargain, let us pause…………… really PAUSE…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In this Psalm</b> we can recount the
ways God has provided for us, beginning with the fact that He created us. He
formed us physically and spiritually; body and soul! He knows who we are. He
knows what we have done. He is engaged in our lives. He fights for us. He is
our defender, our help, and our provider. Everything we have has been given to
us by Him. So take the time to think about what that means for you today.
PAUSE………… and GIVE THANKS TO GOD.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This
is our Outreach promise:</b> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God
rescues those who fear Him; “those who wait with hope for His mercy to rescue
their souls from [eternal] death…” </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Psalm we receive the promise that everyone who waits on the LORD will be saved
from eternal death. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is God who gives life. It is God who gives us a new life in Jesus Christ. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a certain truth!</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">n this Thanksgiving Day let us pause to THANK God for this promise fulfilled,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for giving us salvation and then let us </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BOLD</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ly tell someone else this good news!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-28618677907017166102014-11-19T20:33:00.000-06:002015-06-25T20:33:26.965-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 32<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sub
title: The Freedom of Confession</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>“A psalm by David; a maskil. Blessed is the person whose
disobedience is forgiven and whose sin is pardoned. Blessed is the person whom
the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> no longer accuses of sin
and who has no deceitful thoughts. When I kept silent {about my sins}, my bones
began to weaken because of my groaning all day long. Day and night your hand
lay heavily on me. My strength shriveled in the summer heat. Selah I made my sins known to you,
and I did not cover up my guilt. I decided to confess them to you, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. Then you forgave all my sins. Selah”</i> <b>Psalm 32:1-5</b><b> </b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright
1995 by <i>God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqzTRHQ4dnLJlJCs8tek7jHAO2xALZL1Z1NmtwROKdmhKGxTVpmWP0XBlxZbV0J381BzBxlQ5IvXgeWEMuUL43lAKt1TBblVi3gLALKtZUKrfqSsiR4UoAxPKYnGAieq9cQmLSzIApgs/s1600/freedom+_717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqzTRHQ4dnLJlJCs8tek7jHAO2xALZL1Z1NmtwROKdmhKGxTVpmWP0XBlxZbV0J381BzBxlQ5IvXgeWEMuUL43lAKt1TBblVi3gLALKtZUKrfqSsiR4UoAxPKYnGAieq9cQmLSzIApgs/s1600/freedom+_717.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a time in my life that I became so caught up in the
fulfillment of my personal dreams for success that I sacrificed the
relationship with my children and the relationship with my wife on the altar of
personal achievement. I was driven to succeed even in the midst of financial
ruin. The deeper in debt I became, the harder I worked to survive, and my
family paid the price. I expected God to bless my efforts, but in the end I was
forced to give up my personal dream. This was a hard pill to swallow and I
blamed everyone around me for not caring enough to help me fulfill my dream. In
my selfish anger I also rebelled against God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God did not give up on me. He crushed that rebellious
spirit, and humbled me. I finally realized that God loved me, not because I was
good or worthy, but because He is a God of love. He desires everyone to be
saved. <b>He loved me because I needed to
be saved. </b>I had nothing to offer God. I was broken and helpless, but He had
everything I needed. He gave me forgiveness and the full pardon of my sins. In
Christ I was set free. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I confessed my sin to my wife, she forgave me! I didn’t
deserve that kind of unconditional love! I also confessed my sin to my children;
it was difficult to admit that I had failed them as a father when they needed
me the most. As a result of my selfishness I had lost out on many precious
moments with them that I will never be able to reclaim. The most difficult task
in this process was forgiving myself. It took many years before I could totally
accept God’s unconditional forgiveness for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The words of this Psalm still ring clearly in my head and I
am always reminded that I am still a sinful being who daily needs the assurance
of God’s forgiveness. But I am not alone; Jesus died for everyone and has
already paid the price for their sins. Every person who confesses their sin
before God will receive a full pardon from Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is our outreach
promise.</b> It is God’s Word that convicts people of their sin and it is God
who will forgive those who confess their sin. “<i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Day and night your
hand lay heavily on me. My strength shriveled in the summer heat. I made my
sins known to you, and I did not cover up my guilt. I decided to confess them
to you, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. Then you forgave
all my sins.” </span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Psalm
32:4-5 </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word to the
Nations Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BOLD</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ly share this
good news with those you love: it is the most loving gift you can give. </b> </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-43556439313085114992014-11-14T18:21:00.000-06:002015-06-25T20:33:41.977-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 31<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sub
title: God’s Hiding Place</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Psalm 31:14-20 </b> <b><i>I trust you, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. I said, “You are my God.” My future is in your
hands.</i></b><i> Rescue me from my enemies,
from those who persecute me. Smile on me. Save me with your mercy. <b>O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>,
I have called on you, so do not let me be put to shame</b>, Let wicked people
be put to shame. Let them be silent in the grave. Let {their} lying lips be
speechless, since they speak against righteous people with arrogance and
contempt. <b>Your kindness is so great! You
reserve it for those who fear you. </b>Adam's descendants watch as you show it to
those who take refuge in you. <b>You
hide them in the secret place of your presence from those who scheme against
them. You keep them in a shelter, safe from quarrelsome tongues.</b></i>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s
Word to the Nations Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzQfTwZytSdXf_0hK7E85MO5LN0SWZGG8zzgbCXbiVj54Nr6W-Nj1MyUn8Q4YwU4fxGQehSDVv3hT_sjtRbIbip0RGFNG0qmY_4WNAr2L7NGiLsj2ujKhKfmsvdiL6pvz859yZ4v2Chk/s1600/insidecave+looking+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzQfTwZytSdXf_0hK7E85MO5LN0SWZGG8zzgbCXbiVj54Nr6W-Nj1MyUn8Q4YwU4fxGQehSDVv3hT_sjtRbIbip0RGFNG0qmY_4WNAr2L7NGiLsj2ujKhKfmsvdiL6pvz859yZ4v2Chk/s1600/insidecave+looking+out.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The primary focus</b> of this blog is to
encourage Christians to <b>BOLD</b>ly share
their faith with friends, neighbors, and others they meet as they are going
about their daily tasks. It is a reflection on the sure promises of God to
gather unto Himself all who call out to Him and seek refuge in His embrace. To
understand the principles of this saving faith it is helpful to remember that
God desires everyone to be saved and to trust in Him for salvation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>However</b>,
this saving faith comes from God as a gift and may be rejected by those who are
content in living for themselves and by themselves because of their love of sin
and sinful pleasures in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>David’s enemies</b> had selfish ambitions in
mind. Their desire was to obtain power through David’s demise. Their true
master was the deceiver (Satan) who delights in corrupting the minds of God’s
people and turning them against Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This still happens</b> today when people who
call themselves Christians live for their own glory and power at the expense
and welfare of those around them. It could be as subtle as fudging a few
numbers on a tax form, or jacking the price on a product, or turning away from
those in need when the means to help is within their wallet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Christians also</b>
live for themselves when they hold on to the riches of salvation and eternal
life but fail to share those with their neighbors and friends who do not yet
know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQorxYx-17XcLMJRIbZ85UbkivjGzGdcQdmDPw1mSNrg7jt9Yg18M9-eBZ29osp2FaLgDbiLEJwP8WHkqFpA-xYXzGwG7GvnF8muQhNy4zxqSn8zeB4TFiQIdIoJFvAth29a4oZiPEbt4/s1600/IMG_20140622_145304_390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQorxYx-17XcLMJRIbZ85UbkivjGzGdcQdmDPw1mSNrg7jt9Yg18M9-eBZ29osp2FaLgDbiLEJwP8WHkqFpA-xYXzGwG7GvnF8muQhNy4zxqSn8zeB4TFiQIdIoJFvAth29a4oZiPEbt4/s1600/IMG_20140622_145304_390.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>God forgives our sins.</b> He hides us in
that secret place of His presence where Satan cannot get to us, that is, unless
we give him the opportunity to come back into our lives, which he, of course,
is so willing and eager to do. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God’s promise of salvation is fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>He is our rock and our refuge.</u> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But we cannot take this salvation for granted.</b> It is ours through faith that is
given as a free gift from God; however this faith must be nurtured and
exercised if it is to develop and grow into a lasting relationship with God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is easy to say “<b><i>You are my God. My future is in
your hands.”, </i></b>it is quite another thing to actually
put that into practice. But when we do, people take notice, which then gives us
an opportunity to bear witness to “the hope that is in us” that Peter refers in
his letter to the church. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My encouragement</b> to you is that you live <b>BOLD</b>ly for the Lord in whatever
circumstances you find yourselves in, and then, intentionally tell others of the
hope you have been given through faith in Jesus Christ.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-8936917977274834122014-10-19T20:43:00.000-05:002015-06-25T20:33:58.498-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 30<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Subtitle: Facing the Pit (Death) </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> “I will honor you highly, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, because you have pulled me out {of
the pit} and have not let my enemies rejoice over me. O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> my God, I cried out to you for help, and you healed me.
O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, you brought me up from the
grave. You called me back to life from among those who had gone into the pit.”</i>
Psalm 30:1-4 <span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(</span><i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">God’s
Word, </span></i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word
to the Nations Bible Society</i>, </span><a href="http://www.godsword.org/"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">www.godsword.org</span></a><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql0z03F96GgUrT7j7YjMjSc-Az1jNj6Xlwa60VcfLTBR218_dpZk1_HNUndW26ZiomQyGl0SUKVfQBlyMmUGd-_z9ORhnJpzogMX776n8C6aTfW4gGr6M6bZf9jPnbnbe9kZu-ItmEw8/s1600/tomb+of+the+unknown-seaside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql0z03F96GgUrT7j7YjMjSc-Az1jNj6Xlwa60VcfLTBR218_dpZk1_HNUndW26ZiomQyGl0SUKVfQBlyMmUGd-_z9ORhnJpzogMX776n8C6aTfW4gGr6M6bZf9jPnbnbe9kZu-ItmEw8/s1600/tomb+of+the+unknown-seaside.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Have you ever hit
rock bottom?</b> It is a very lonely place to be. Danger awaits you in the morning!
Fear fills your senses! Your body silently screams at you for an escape! Panic
grips your mind! Your thoughts race in several directions and then they become
silent, and still you realize that you have no control over what will happen
next, so you do the only thing that makes sense at the time…you call out to
God. “Help! Please help me LORD! My life is in your hands. I have nothing and
without YOU I am nothing. But with YOU, through YOU, and by YOUR divine
intervention I will live to see another day.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This</b> is where faith
is tested. Faith isn't something you create, but it is planted in you by God
and then it is nurtured through trials and adversity until it becomes ingrained
in the very fabric of your existence. Some people are only tested a few times, and
go through deep valleys once or twice, but they are the exceptions, for most of
us these deep valleys are regular occurrences. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes as we get
older the valleys in life seem to be less frequent and not as difficult to
endure. This may be the result of our growth in faith as we learn to trust in
the promises of God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As</b> I look back over my life I have started to understand
what David experienced in the 23</span><sup style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Psalm as he wrote, <i>“Even as I
walk through the valley of death, I will not fear evil, because YOU are with me
and YOUR rod and staff brings me comfort.”</i> When I reflect on how my LORD has rescued
me in the past, it is a little easier to let go of the fear and then trust that
HE will rescue me again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In</b> the beginning of
this Psalm, David is expressing that emotional bottom. He had been in the pit
of death with little hope for escape, yet God turned the tables on David’s
enemies and rescued him. At the same time, God used these words of David to
prophesy of the death and resurrection of the Messiah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our outreach
promise from this Psalm</b> has been fulfilled in the body of our LORD Jesus Christ
when He rose from the dead.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While
David’s words were of emotional death and rescue, they point to the life of
Jesus who physically died and rose from the dead. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus fulfilled the prophesy, “</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>,
you brought me up from the grave. You called me back to life from among those
who had gone into the pit.”</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If</b> you are feeling like your life is in the pit;
there is hope! If you are ministering to someone else who is at rock bottom;
there is hope! <b>GOD HAS THE POWER TO RESCUE US FROM THE PIT!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Death</b> has been defeated and has no power. Jesus the
Messiah has won the victory over death. We have nothing to fear when we by
faith let God lift us up. And then… with David we can </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BOLDly</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> sing praises to the God who saves us.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span></i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have changed my sobbing into dancing. You have removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy so that my soul may praise you with music and not be
silent. O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> my God, I will give
thanks to you forever.”</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm
30:10-12</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">(</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God’s Word, </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word to the
Nations Bible Society</i>, </span><a href="http://www.godsword.org/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.godsword.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">)</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-83671872383851889552014-10-07T13:54:00.000-05:002015-06-25T20:34:30.249-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 29<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Sub title: The Sound of God’s VOICE –
His WORD.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Give to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>,
you heavenly beings. Give to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
glory and power. <br />
Give to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> the glory his
name deserves. Worship the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> in
{his} holy splendor.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The voice of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
rolls over the water. The God of glory thunders. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> shouts
over raging water. The voice of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
is powerful. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The voice of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
is majestic. …<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The voice of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
strikes with flashes of lightning. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The voice of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
makes the wilderness tremble. </i>Psalm 29:1-4,7-8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and
snow. </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will not come back to me without results. </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will accomplish whatever
I want and achieve whatever I send it to do.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Isaiah 55:11</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with
God, and the Word was God. </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was already with God in the beginning. Everything
came into existence through him. Not one thing that exists was made without
him. He was the source of life, and that life was the light for humanity. The
light shines in the dark, and the dark has never extinguished it.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> John 1:1-5</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Word of life existed from the beginning. We have heard
it. We have seen it. We observed and touched it. This life was revealed to us.
We have seen it, and we testify about it. We are reporting to you about this
eternal life that was in the presence of the Father and was revealed to us.
This is the life we have seen and heard. We are reporting about it to you also
so that you, too, can have a relationship with us. Our relationship is with the
Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 1 John 1:1-3 </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD [Jesus]</span>
sits enthroned as king forever. The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
will give power to his people. The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
will bless his people with peace.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Psalm 29:10,11 </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(All scriptural quotes
taken from <i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word to the Nations
Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QScQbsSQRd6DeyOEniidrmA9XFb0VZ4xyCE6GFDLDqY0pn9JsMH5OuXY3mnyg91qlUxfCzpvyTrrCsoiUqban_FONbfhnjm3Dx6Q9eOiC3M7ARviz2JSjp1k4cHUh9lHfKutlhFvj-Y/s1600/sunsetatseaside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QScQbsSQRd6DeyOEniidrmA9XFb0VZ4xyCE6GFDLDqY0pn9JsMH5OuXY3mnyg91qlUxfCzpvyTrrCsoiUqban_FONbfhnjm3Dx6Q9eOiC3M7ARviz2JSjp1k4cHUh9lHfKutlhFvj-Y/s1600/sunsetatseaside.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you imagine what the sound of the LORD would be like? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When God spoke to Moses the people heard what sounded like
thunder in their ears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When God spoke at the baptism of Jesus, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> those who were
standing there said it sounded like thunder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David heard the sound of thunder and reflected on the power
of God’s voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thunder is mild compared to the full force of the voice of
God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>God said “Let there be light!” And there was light! </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the sound of His voice everything on earth and in the
heavens were created. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By His voice, His spoken word, everything came into being. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faster than the crack of lightening; He said “Let there be…
and it was!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The end will be as the beginning. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God will speak and the entire world will be gathered together
to see Jesus return as LORD over all.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, lightening hit our house. It went through
our electrical panel so fast that the breakers didn’t have time to react. Surge
protectors failed to trip, TV’s were blown, along with other random appliances.
Some appliances were left undamaged while others were rendered cold stone dead.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God’s Word is like that. It is fast and powerful. It gets
through to some people while others are left untouched. Only in the case of
God’s Word, instead of destroying, it resurrects. The people who are penetrated
by God’s Word are dead sinners who are brought back to life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God’s Word became flesh in Jesus Christ. He lived among us
and spoke clearly so we would know the way of salvation. He died in our place.
He destroyed the power of sin and death. He made it possible for sinful people (like
myself) to have an everlasting relationship with God in heaven. He gives us the
privilege to be heirs in His kingdom. He gives us everlasting peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our outreach promise
in Psalm 29 is this:</b> In spite of what things look like on
the outside, in spite of the trials or difficulties or storms in our lives, in
spite of darkness and sorrow; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> God’s living Voice, the living Word, Jesus Christ
has overcome our enemy, Sin. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus has destroyed the power of sin, death, and the devil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He gives the power to live a new life to everyone who trusts
in Him for the forgiveness of their sin. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And by His Spirit He fills them with internal and eternal
peace.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have experienced this peace within, </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> BOLD</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ly
share the source of that peace with your friends and neighbors. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-83735231280436089202014-09-22T17:51:00.001-05:002015-06-25T20:34:58.397-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 28<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Subtitle: Lord have mercy… Christ have mercy… Lord have mercy.</b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Psalm 28:1-3, 6-9 </b><br />
<i>(By David) <b>O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, I call to you. O my rock, do not
turn a deaf ear to me.</b> If you remain silent, I will be like those who go
into the pit. <b>Hear my prayer for mercy
when I call to you for help, when I lift my hands toward your most holy place. </b>Do
not drag me away with wicked people, with troublemakers who speak of peace with
their neighbors but have evil in their hearts. … <b>Thank the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>! He has
heard my prayer for mercy! </b>The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
is my strength and my shield. My heart trusted him, so I received help. My
heart is triumphant; I give thanks to him with my song. <b>The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> is the strength
of his people and a fortress for the victory of his Messiah.</b> Save your
people, and bless those who belong to you. <b>Be
their shepherd, and carry them forever.</b></i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright
1995 by <i>God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lately</b> in my ministry, God has placed me in four situations where I
have had opportunities to minister to the families of those who are near death.
For some the process was slow, labored, and to some degree a painful
experience. For others, the process happened relatively quickly and left the
family members in a state of shock and sudden grief. I struggled with the right
words to say; wanting to extent the hope and comfort that comes from faith and
the assurance of eternal life with Christ, without discounting God’s ability to
bring about physical healing and the extension of life on earth in the flesh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In each situation the words that I spoke were a prayer of mercy.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I called upon God to remember His promise to be merciful to those
who call on His name and trust in His promise of salvation. This is the example
that David (by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) has given to us in </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 28.</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “Hear my prayer for mercy when I
call to you for help…”</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> [Do not hold my sin against me; forgive me because YOU
are merciful.] – (my interpretation).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also prayed that God would give
us His peace. The same peace that David received at the end of the Psalm, <i>“Thank the LORD! He has heard my prayer for
mercy! … My heart trusted Him, so I received help.”</i> This peace comes from
the assurance that God has already won the victory over death by His Son, the
Messiah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is our outreach promise. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can <b>BOLD</b>ly proclaim its
truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a sweet message for those
who trust in Jesus Christ. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtMUD91-QS-zS_xe-xbOrikPSDO9kkTwyXx4lwkSF8HBucRJj97jPSdfqmAcwwy4pJbm9tDk-_WFZHVC6sjdQSk8i0usTrcJDwNH6chMvYqlM-JA8wagYD1LS5Kn9cAeRO9lFzTjXnSw/s1600/IMG_20140624_141810_434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtMUD91-QS-zS_xe-xbOrikPSDO9kkTwyXx4lwkSF8HBucRJj97jPSdfqmAcwwy4pJbm9tDk-_WFZHVC6sjdQSk8i0usTrcJDwNH6chMvYqlM-JA8wagYD1LS5Kn9cAeRO9lFzTjXnSw/s1600/IMG_20140624_141810_434.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What</b> a comfort it is to know that
soon the one you love will be in the presence of Almighty God, free of pain,
sorrow, suffering, and sin. The cancer that was eating away at their body has at
last been removed. The sin that has separated them from the holiness of God has
been completely destroyed. For the rest of eternity they will be living as they
were once intended to live – full of joy, peace, patience, kindness, and love
beyond comprehension.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I prayed with these believers
in Christ and their dear family members, they each acknowledged that peace and
contentment, nodding with the assurance that they would soon be in the presence
of their loving Savior and Lord. They did not fear death, because they knew
that Jesus would carry them in His arms, much like a parent carries a newborn
child, to that place of eternal peace and rest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soon they would be with God, their provider, shepherd, and LORD, in His
heavenly kingdom forever. </span></b></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-26960411324981542012014-09-20T17:37:00.000-05:002015-06-25T20:35:16.415-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 27<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Subtitle: Someday we will see God ‘face to face’.</span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Psalm 27:1-14 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><i>
By David. The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> is my light and
my salvation. Who is there to fear? The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
is my life's fortress. Who is there to be afraid of? … <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>I have asked one thing from the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. This I will seek: to remain in the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD'S</span> house all the days of my life in
order to gaze at the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD'S</span> beauty
and to search for an answer in his temple. He hides me in his shelter when
there is trouble. He keeps me hidden in his tent. He sets me high on a rock. … <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>{When you said,} “Seek my face,” my heart said to you, “O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, I will seek your face.” … <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>I believe that I will see the goodness of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> in this world of the living. Wait
with hope for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. Be strong,
and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. </i></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s
Word to the Nations Bible Society</i>, </span><a href="http://www.godsword.org/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">www.godsword.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What does God want us to
seek? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">God wants all sinners to repent and to look to Him for
forgiveness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>God calls, “Seek my
face.” And David replies, “O LORD, I will seek your face.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
is our promise.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Those who seek after
God’s protection will receive it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbHaepDEpylbQ00x_HJd-sGc60gtFEMbKrjXzr2wvN-v6AcM5f0IRUeNQzdzYrJjFu53Tf3K8Pqs3LX4C7fbaXy7jjRR1YSMMVO9lmV_lXvr9aToR8SL-8WdjEOVBs4wRkjmmJX3g_ck/s1600/IMG_20140624_061345_137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbHaepDEpylbQ00x_HJd-sGc60gtFEMbKrjXzr2wvN-v6AcM5f0IRUeNQzdzYrJjFu53Tf3K8Pqs3LX4C7fbaXy7jjRR1YSMMVO9lmV_lXvr9aToR8SL-8WdjEOVBs4wRkjmmJX3g_ck/s1600/IMG_20140624_061345_137.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It comes to those who
trust in God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Only the righteous can
stand before God and gaze upon His face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Only the forgiven will
be made righteous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Forgiveness cannot be
earned, it is a free gift given to those who humbly confess their sins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Forgiveness only comes
to those who submit to the grace and mercy of the ONE who has the power to
destroy both the sin and the sinner in the fires of hell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But this ONE has already
chosen to take the place of the sinner and destroy the power of sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Through God’s act of
love, carried out by His Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior/Messiah’s death on a
cross and resurrection from the dead, the penalty of sin has been paid in full.
There is nothing stopping us from receiving forgiveness except our
unwillingness to repent of our sins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If we say we have NO
sin, we deceive ourselves and must carry the burden of our sins throughout
eternity, but if we confess and repent of our sins, God’s Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior, the Messiah tells us that we are free from their burden because He
has already taken it upon Himself. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1 John 1:9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This gift is for
everyone who calls on the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Jesus
said, “My Father wants all those who see the Son and believe in him to have
eternal life. He wants me to bring them back to life on the last day.”</i> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">John</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
6:40 (<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word to the Nations Bible
Society</i>, </span><a href="http://www.godsword.org/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">www.godsword.org</span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our task is to <b>BOLD</b>ly tell others this GOOD NEWS
message. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Spirit of God uses
this GOOD NEWS to bring them to repentance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><b>And those who repent…
well you know… they get to see God - ‘Face to Face.’</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In the past two weeks, I
was at the bedside of two people who were waiting for their journey on this
earth to end and their new life with Christ to begin. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">They knew that they were going to see Jesus - ‘face to face’, and in the midst of pain and suffering, they had peace, real peace! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Within hours after my
visit each of these individuals left their earthly bodies behind as they
entered into the presence of their Lord Jesus Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">By faith they knew that God's promise for them would be fulfilled, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">they would have eternal life with Jesus Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Now that life is reality!!</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>A PROMISE FULFILLED!!!!!</b> </span></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-21931153179603304802014-07-05T13:08:00.000-05:002015-06-25T20:35:38.982-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 26<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Subtitle:
Walking In the Security of God’s Mercy</span></b></h2>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4alw2HZMJZzlkgqgxe6X9W_r14Tl-okl9KUrr5JiK2ikm9s1vwCv7YxPjWrwQJchWQAmQTjy8yRuuMyUaAplUCC_oIozOmgxqy54iBKeez2-J8a-0G9X36dH0QhYK_l0of57Yt1uwaM/s1600/IMG_20140624_150002_669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4alw2HZMJZzlkgqgxe6X9W_r14Tl-okl9KUrr5JiK2ikm9s1vwCv7YxPjWrwQJchWQAmQTjy8yRuuMyUaAplUCC_oIozOmgxqy54iBKeez2-J8a-0G9X36dH0QhYK_l0of57Yt1uwaM/s1600/IMG_20140624_150002_669.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Psalm 26:1-3 </b><i>(By
David.) “Judge me favorably, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>,
because I have walked with integrity and I have trusted you without wavering. Examine
me, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, and test me. Look
closely into my heart and mind. I see your mercy in front of me. I walk in the
light of your truth.”</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(God’s Word, Copyright
1995 by God’s Word to the Nations
Bible Society, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is merciful. He does not give us what we deserve. Instead, He
extends mercy to those who trust in Him. David does not ask God to judge him
fairly, or to give him what he deserves, but to judge him FAVORABLY, out of the
abundance of God’s mercy. David’s claim is God’s truth; those who call on the
name of the LORD will be redeemed, forgiven, cared for, and set free from the
guilt of their sins. The integrity that David walked in is a relationship of
dependence upon God’s mercy. He trusted in the promise of deliverance, and even
though he would have been found guilty in the eyes of many, he submitted to
God’s merciful judgment, where he received redemption and forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is our outreach promise.</b>
God in His mercy forgives those who call upon Him, trust in Him, and depend on
Him for their salvation from sin. There is no other way to be forgiven.
Forgiveness only comes from one source, Jesus Christ who died for our sins.
Forgiveness is only given to those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and
Savior. Forgiveness of sin comes from God, through Jesus Christ, and is given
to those who trust in Him for their salvation. It cannot be earned! It cannot
be bought by some price, such as, living a saintly life! It only comes as a
gift to those who recognize that they are incapable of inquiring on their own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup>“</sup>But
as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His
name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13 (King James Version)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God will forgive the humble, those whose hearts are broken before Him.
He promises to forgive the sins of all who call out to Him for mercy. If you
know this to be true in your life, <b>BOLD</b>ly
give witness to others, that they may hear its “good news”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-44194593793647392542014-04-27T19:43:00.000-05:002015-06-25T20:35:54.635-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 25<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sub title: Salvation comes from
the LORD.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> He
has promised it! </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He will deliver it!</span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ixs5UmaoL7wS697VSmDU1l268a7kVcMPkZkYyDsOuZUnYeWQlJcxhJJyiKKzGP8HA1CUk3VZUhqrABB-K7lq2KYY-ygnadzDJcBUxjYaQZTWkxPK5VFWYVwI2CQ2tKiY2KSo8TJI-kI/s1600/sunset+mountian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ixs5UmaoL7wS697VSmDU1l268a7kVcMPkZkYyDsOuZUnYeWQlJcxhJJyiKKzGP8HA1CUk3VZUhqrABB-K7lq2KYY-ygnadzDJcBUxjYaQZTWkxPK5VFWYVwI2CQ2tKiY2KSo8TJI-kI/s1600/sunset+mountian.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“<b>The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> is good and
decent. That is why he teaches sinners the way they should live.</b> He leads
humble people to do what is right, and he teaches them his way. <b>Every path of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> is {one of} mercy and truth for those who cling to his
promise and written instructions.</b> For the sake of your name, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, remove my guilt, because it is
great. <b>Who, then, is this person that
fears the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>?</b> <b>He is the one whom the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> will teach which path to choose.</b>
He will enjoy good things in life, and his descendants will inherit the land. <b>The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
advises those who fear him. He reveals to them the intent of his promise.</b>”</i>
Psalm 25:8-14 (<i>God’s
Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To whom does God promise
salvation? Guilty sinners!</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It not given to the righteous, or those who
claim to be righteous, but it is given to those who recognize their sin. It is
not given to the proud, self-sufficient, self-reliant person who makes his or
her own way in life and strives to earn God’s favor through righteous living
and acts of mercy. It is not given to the ultra-conservative or ultra-religious
person who practices meditation, fasting, ritual prayers, or self-sacrifices
all in an effort to please God.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>No</b>, <b>it is ONLY given to those who humbly cling to God’s promises of mercy.</b>
These are the ones who recognize that they cannot of themselves remove their
guilt or make amends for their sin filled ways. They have come to realize that
they have only one recourse; total surrender, flat out submission to the mercy
of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is NOT an act of reaching
out to God to take hold of Him</b> (as if someone could have a part in their
salvation), but an act of surrender; a recognition that they are helpless to do
anything, except submit to God. To be at the mercy of God is to recognize that
there is nothing you can do that would please Him or remove the guilt of your
sin. It is the absence of action. It is the essence of humility. <b>It is the death of your willful
disobedience.</b> It is the stillness of total submission. This can only come
from the Holy Spirit, working through the Word of God, which reveals to us the
helplessness of our sinful human condition in the presence of God’s holiness
and almighty power. This is rightfully a fearful place to be. We resist. We
shudder to think about it. We are non-the-less sinful sinners at the mercy of
ONE who hates sin and has the power to destroy both the sin and the sinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>However, this is the work of God
at His finest!</b> God is merciful and compassionate and forgiving. He forgives
and shows His mercy to those who submit to His mercy. He redeems the broken
hearted. He gives spiritual sight to those who call out to Him for mercy. He
forgives their sins, washes away their guilt, and lifts up and restores those
who depend on Him for salvation. David said, “<b><i>The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> is good and decent. That is why he
teaches sinners the way they should live.” </i></b>David
recognized this truth about God; ‘God desires to restore the lives of sinful
beings’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The humble, broken-hearted,
repentant sinner will be forgiven.</b> They will follow the
instructions of the LORD. They will have a relationship with God that is built
on the mercy of God. They will come to realize their total dependence upon
their Creator, LORD, and Savior. They will believe in the words of Jesus and trust
in His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of their sins. They will
receive the gift of everlasting life in presence of Jesus in heaven. <b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our BOLD Outreach Promise from God: </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we faithfully share
God’s word with others, God has promised to open the hearts of the spiritually
blind. <b>By the power of the Holy Spirit, God the Father will give faith to those
who call out to Him for mercy and He will lead them to saving faith in His Son,
Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-49723870012547683452014-03-24T21:11:00.000-05:002015-06-25T20:36:11.081-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 24<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Subtitle: Seekers Will Find God</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></o:p></sup></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXQcJXWf17n-4xAQGeYiuouN3zIsWqRQfYTSMvZokxAvzjL9zKjCnKHopTAAg2KqZOfcYSeiFXuq9_Vmx7VfWUiqtxybOA_7cm5naUupgktaff8VqYFvk9ctoQ1ygR9G-BoO7DwRyL8c/s1600/sunset+mountian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXQcJXWf17n-4xAQGeYiuouN3zIsWqRQfYTSMvZokxAvzjL9zKjCnKHopTAAg2KqZOfcYSeiFXuq9_Vmx7VfWUiqtxybOA_7cm5naUupgktaff8VqYFvk9ctoQ1ygR9G-BoO7DwRyL8c/s1600/sunset+mountian.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><sup>“</sup></i><i>Who may go up the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD'S</span>
mountain? Who may stand in his holy place? [The one who] has clean hands and a
pure heart and does not long for what is false or lie when he is under oath. [This
person] will receive a blessing from the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
and righteousness from God, his savior. This is the person who seeks him, who
searches for the face of the God of Jacob.” </i><b>Psalm 24:3-6</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s
Word to the Nations Bible Society</i>, <span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a></span>)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Those who desire to be with God
will find Him.</b> Those who resist the Spirit and reject God will be rejected
by God. The promises of God only apply to those who by faith submit to His
power and authority over them. It takes God’s Spirit working through God’s Word
to rescue an unbeliever from the grip of Satan and bring them into a new life
in Jesus Christ. As Christians our role in this rescue is to faithfully
proclaim God’s Word and God will take care of the rest. This work takes place
in the midst of genuine relationships with our neighbors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our witness begins in our
neighborhood.</b> We proclaim God’s Word through our actions, our humility, our
failures, our acts of love, and in the midst of conversations with those we
have built genuine relationships. We live as salt, melting away the ice within
stone cold hearts. We live as light, guiding people toward the Savior. God
promises to do the rest!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To those who are looking for God,
he says, </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Seek and you will find. Knock and
the door will be opened for you</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To those who are broken by the weight
of their sin and guilt, he says, </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have come to bind up the broken
and to open the eyes of the blind.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To us, he asks,</b> <i>How can they hear, unless they are told? </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How
can they see unless their eyes are opened?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For (the Gospel, that is, God’s
Word) is the power unto salvation to everyone who hears it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It is the power of the Spirit of God</b> working through his Word that
calls, gathers, enlightens, and leads seekers to faith in Jesus Christ. I know
that I did not come to God by my own reason or strength, but it was the power
of the Holy Spirit that worked faith in me, to believe in Jesus Christ as my
Lord and Savior. And God promises that He will give that gift of faith to
everyone who seeks after Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jesus invites seekers to listen
to him, </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Those who have the ears to hear,
listen to what I have to say</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>These are the ones who receive
the promises of God spoken to us by the Psalmist.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>[This person] will receive a
blessing from the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> and
righteousness from God, his savior. This is the person who seeks him, who
searches for the face of the God of Jacob.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Here is an outreach promise and
word of encouragement from Psalm 24: </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be <b>BOLD</b> in your outreach! Do
not give up! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trust in God! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be faithful in your work and the Holy Spirit will create faith within
the hearts of those who are seeking the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>They will see God face to face.</b> </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-43398658362573665852014-02-28T21:22:00.000-06:002015-06-25T20:36:30.734-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 23<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Subtitle: The Promise of Peace</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Psalm 23:1-6 (GW) </span></b></div>
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<sup>1 </sup> </span>A
psalm by David. The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> is my
shepherd. I am never in need. <br />
<sup>2 </sup> He makes me lie down in
green pastures. He leads me beside peaceful waters. <br />
<sup>3 </sup> He renews my soul. He
guides me along the paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.
<sup>4 </sup> Even though I walk through
the dark valley of death, because you are with me, I fear no harm. Your rod and
your staff give me courage. <br />
<sup>5 </sup> You prepare a banquet for
me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. <br />
<sup>6 </sup> Certainly, goodness and
mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD'S</span> house for days without end.<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
(<i>God’s Word, </i>Copyright 1995 by <i>God’s Word
to the Nations Bible Society</i>, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>).<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>This</b> is probably the most often quoted
Psalm in the Bible. Christian families almost always request this Psalm be used
in memorial services for their loved ones. It is simple. Easily memorized, and
yet, profoundly rich in content. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In those times when we have doubts or
when we are faced with the news of tragedy, cancer, sudden illness, loss of
job, or the loss of a loved one; <b>this Psalm provides comfort</b>. Its simple truth
is that God is in control. He watches over us, and provides us with all that we
need in this life and the next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In David’s words, God promises to
restore souls. He will guide us along the path of righteousness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>But what does
that mean for those who don’t yet know Him? </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">God is the process of seeking a
relationship with those who have rejected Him. He has gone to great lengths to
touch the hearts of all mankind. He gave us prophets, psalmists, kings, a called
out people (the Children of Israel), His written word, and finally, He sent His only son, Jesus. Like a
good shepherd, God has been searching for His lost sheep, while still
protecting the ones He has gathered. He will restore the souls of those who
trust in Him. And for those who are truly seeking Him, He will lead them to
righteousness, because He desires everyone to be with Him for eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As those who have experience the
blessings and banquet feast of the Lord, let us be <b>BOLD</b> to share what we have
received with those who are still searching. As we meet people along our journey through life, we can walk with them and guide
them to see our Lord who provides for us all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-35177322133565879862014-02-25T14:20:00.001-06:002015-06-25T20:36:45.033-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 22<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Subtitle: He Has Finished It</b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>Psalm 22:16-18</b> “Dogs have
surrounded me. A mob has encircled me. <b>They
have pierced my hands and my feet</b>. I can count all my bones. <b>People stare</b>. They gloat over me. <b>They divide my clothes among themselves.
They throw dice for my clothing.</b>” (God’s Word, Copyright 1995 by God’s
Word to the Nations Bible Society, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>).
</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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God spoke through His servant
David to reveal to us specific promises concerning the coming of the promised
Messiah. Psalm 22 is often used during Good Friday because of its portrayal of
Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. While skeptics will always have their
doubts about the Bible, it is no coincidence that Jesus was tortured and killed
as predicted in this Psalm. Or that His garments were divided among the
soldiers at the foot of the cross in the exact way that David described. Or
that a soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a sword without breaking the bones in His
legs in accordance to Psalm 34, even though the bones of the other two
crucified with Him were broken according to the eye witness account of His
disciple John. One could argue that Jesus knew of the prophecies concerning the
promised Messiah and so He did things to intentionally fulfill them, but after
His death, only God could have orchestrated the events of that day to move the
Roman soldiers to fulfill the rest of the prophecies which were written hundreds
of years before. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>Psalm 34:20</b> “The LORD guards
all of his bones. <b>Not one of them is
broken</b>.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><b>Zechariah 12:10</b> “I will pour
out the Spirit of blessing and mercy on David’s family and on those who live in
Jerusalem. They will look at me, <b>whom
they have stabbed</b>. Then they will morn for him as one mourns for an only
son, and they will cry bitterly for him as one cries for a firstborn son.” (God’s
Word, Copyright 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>). </i><o:p></o:p></div>
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God’s mercy for us is extended through the punishment He places on His
very own begotten Son Jesus. After everything was completed, after the
punishment for our sins had been fulfilled, after Jesus had been killed; the
LORD was still with Him and raised Him from the dead. I can’t explain how it
was done, but understand that it happened because death has no hold on one who
is righteous before the LORD. Jesus was born in righteousness and was faithful
to the end. He was God in human flesh. He was one with God, and yet, fully
human in so much as He became one with us in our sufferings and death. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And here is the BOLD Outreach promise of this chapter. For generations
to come the people who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, (those who
have experienced the joy of having their sins forgiven), will share this good
news with others. They will tell the good news that <b>it is finished</b>, because Jesus has paid the price for all of our
sins. <b>Not in part, but completely!</b> By
His death He paid the penalty for the sins of everyone, believer and non-believer,
alike. The difference between the two is the faith that accepts the forgiveness
the Jesus gives; and the LORD does not turn His back on those who call out to
Him for forgiveness. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><b>Psalm 22:24, 30-31 </b>“The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>
has not despised or been disgusted with the plight of the oppressed one. He has
not hidden his face from that person. <b>The
<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span> heard when that oppressed person
cried out to him for help. </b>… There will be descendants who serve him, a
generation that will be told about the Lord. <b>They will tell people yet to be born about his righteousness— that he
has finished it.</b>” (God’s Word, Copyright 1995 by God’s
Word to the Nations Bible Society, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>).</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-14032302286201133852014-01-12T15:56:00.000-06:002015-06-25T20:37:05.597-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 21<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Title: A
Song of Praise</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The king
finds joy in your strength, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>.
What great joy he has in your victory! You gave him his heart's desire. You did
not refuse the prayer from his lips. You welcomed him with the blessings of
good things and set a crown of fine gold on his head. He asked you for life.
You gave him a long life, forever and ever. Because of your victory his glory
is great. You place splendor and majesty on him. Yes, you made him a blessing
forever. You made him glad with the joy of your presence. Indeed, the king
trusts the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, and through the
mercy of the Most High, he will not be moved. Psalm 21:1-7 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(God’s Word, Copyright
1995 by God’s Word to the Nations
Bible Society, </span></i><a href="http://www.godsword.org/"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">www.godsword.org</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In</b> reading this Psalm of King David, I
wonder if he was speaking of himself as the king or of God’s “promised one” (Jesus
– The King who would reign on the throne forever.)? Or is he speaking for
everyone who believes in the salvation of the Lord that would come through the
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We</b> know that David is speaking of
eternity and being in the presence of God forever. This certainly is assurance
of salvation that comes from trusting in God for salvation. This is counting on
God to provide and knowing without a doubt that He will deliver and provide a
victory over sin. This is the reflection of one who is living their life
resting in the promises and strength of God, confident that no one in this life
nor anything in death can separate him from the love and care of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This</b> is also a prophecy concerning “The
King” who would deliver us from sin and establish His throne in the heavens
forever. This king is Jesus, who died for our sins and rose from the dead to
crush the hold that death had over us. Jesus surrendered to the will of his
Father, and was rewarded with an everlasting crown of glory. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can
I leave it there or is it also the fulfillment of my prayer?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And</b> what about those who hear the word
of God and come to understand the victory we have been given in Christ? Can
they place their names in the text and claim the Psalm for themselves? Look at
what happen when I replace the word “king” with a personal pronoun? Does this
bring a fresh and personal meaning to the reading? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I</b> find
joy in your strength, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>. What
great joy <b>I</b> have in your victory! You gave <b>me</b> <b>my</b> heart's desire. You did not
refuse the prayer from <b>my</b> lips. You welcomed <b>me</b> with the blessings of good
things and set a crown of fine gold on <b>my</b> head. <b>I</b> asked you for life. You gave <b>me</b>
a long life, forever and ever. Because of your victory <b>my</b> glory is great. You
place splendor and majesty on <b>me</b>. Yes, you made <b>me</b> a blessing forever. You made
<b>me</b> glad with the joy of your presence. Indeed, <b>I</b> trust the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, and through the mercy of the Most
High, <b>I</b> will not be moved.</span></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank God
for the victory we have in Jesus Christ.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May we <b>BOLD</b>ly
proclaim this message to others with the assurance that God will set them free
to sing this Psalm of praise.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>If you find this blog is helpful, please feel free to share it with others. </i></span></span></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518793859799654581.post-5542432629933736762013-06-09T00:00:00.002-05:002015-06-25T20:37:23.684-05:00BOLD Christian Outreach Reflections from Psalm 20<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Subtitle:
How can I be sure God will bring the unfaithful to faith and forgive the
unforgiven?</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The Lord will answer you in times of
trouble. The name of the God of Jacob will protect you. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He will send you help from His holy
place and support you from Zion.” …</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now I know that the Lord will give
victory to His anointed king. He will answer him from his holy heaven with
mighty deeds of his power hand. Some rely on chariots and others on horses, but
we will boast in the name of the Lord our God. They will sink to their knees
and fall, but we will rise and stand firm. Give victory to the king, O LORD. Answer
us when we call.” Psalm 20:1-2, 6-9 (God’s
Word, Copyright 1995 by God’s
Word to the Nations Bible Society, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God
has, through David’s pen; given us the assurance of victory in the LORD’s
anointed king. We know from the New Testament that Jesus is this anointed one
who has come to defeat Satan. The prophesies of Isaiah and David were fulfilled
in Jesus when he came into the world and began His ministry of reconciliation,
cumulating in the defeat of Satan, by Jesus’ death and resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The Spirit of the LORD is with me. He
has anointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to announce
forgiveness to the prisoners of sin and the restoring of sight to the blind, to
forgive those who have been shattered by sin, to announce the year of the
Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18/Isaiah 61:1 (God’s
Word, Copyright 1995 by God’s
Word to the Nations Bible Society, <a href="http://www.godsword.org/">www.godsword.org</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The victory belongs to Jesus the King
who wins for us the victory over death! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T3x8r3y__HJ_SA7ttrTTprLCe83B3zqX6GsQjb76oA1JGYg-7Zej44i_1e2k9G5WKWDGpCzy89ZwfcuaC2X2KPRJgRi29QQGy4jWoK3WHdOiAqmr3qvzCVdAHRNxzZ5y1HaDgyDdivM/s1600/DSC00917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T3x8r3y__HJ_SA7ttrTTprLCe83B3zqX6GsQjb76oA1JGYg-7Zej44i_1e2k9G5WKWDGpCzy89ZwfcuaC2X2KPRJgRi29QQGy4jWoK3WHdOiAqmr3qvzCVdAHRNxzZ5y1HaDgyDdivM/s320/DSC00917.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This
Psalm begins with a promise “The LORD will answer you” and ends with a prayer
“answer us when we call”. At times we have our doubts... and David had his. In
the midst of his struggle David simultaneously asks God for help and promises
those around him that God will indeed help him and those who are depending on
him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a lesson to be learned here. We can ask for God to give us
strength and to rescue us from our fears and doubts knowing full-well that God
can and will deliver us.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus Christ is our deliverer. He has
come. We have nothing to fear. We can BOLDly proclaim what we know to be true.
In Christ our king the victory has been won.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
Christ we will receive our hearts desire. Our plans will be accomplished. God
will bless the work we do for Him. We will rejoice in the victory of Christ. We
will raise up the banner of our faith and boldly proclaim the name of the Lord.
Our prayers for others will be heard. God will grant our requests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t hold back. Proclaim Christ with
confidence. Jesus is Lord! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The victory is His! He is the Lord’s
anointed King. Praise Christ the King! Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
DCO Peter Keyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16949645957003854787noreply@blogger.com0