tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11428913445954640562024-03-05T01:30:59.048-08:00365 ForumEvery Word that Comes from the Mouth of Godtim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.comBlogger1420125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-88802955012651604472014-01-02T15:55:00.000-08:002014-01-02T15:55:34.965-08:00Gone Fishin'
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While I've loved doing <em>365 Forum, </em>it's time for a break. If there's a special topic you want to look up, use the search window at left or use the Archive to access a specific date.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">This entire blog has been re-worked somewhat and made available as a Kindle book, <em>Every Word that Comes from the Mouth of God,</em> and is available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Every-Word-that-Comes-Mouth-ebook/dp/B008Q49602/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388706765&sr=8-1&keywords=every+word+that+comes+from+the+mouth+of+god/">http://www.amazon.com/Every-Word-that-Comes-Mouth-ebook/dp/B008Q49602/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388706765&sr=8-1&keywords=every+word+that+comes+from+the+mouth+of+god/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">It is also coming soon in print available from Amazon.com/.</span></div>
tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-50820833371430330772013-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-31T06:00:08.844-08:00Day 365: Revelation 19, 20, 21 and 22
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XtKmD5d_ra6LOk4XHeHQsUlUUBOgsgrThpWv2WEkKiyLFj5y_em2b8LHxANA7AKqpIFYCRmiRkdyneYJwsQWu_IXRIF9FlRFKG5csxhceSL1lE0I90pRDqLEjXG-UaLMIs7pejcWbaUr/s1600/alpha+and+omega.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XtKmD5d_ra6LOk4XHeHQsUlUUBOgsgrThpWv2WEkKiyLFj5y_em2b8LHxANA7AKqpIFYCRmiRkdyneYJwsQWu_IXRIF9FlRFKG5csxhceSL1lE0I90pRDqLEjXG-UaLMIs7pejcWbaUr/s400/alpha+and+omega.jpg" width="356" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End</em> (Revelation 22:13).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">John’s Revelation ends the same way
it began. <em>I am the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord God </em>(1:8). For the
Christian, oppressed under Rome’s thumb, this is yet again a message of hope
and an invitation to endure – but not just to endure – to endure with faith and
hope.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This beast of yours, this Roman Empire... I was here
before this great empire was even a thought, and I will be here long after it
turns to dust... even after its dust ceases to be, I will be here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Some of our problems that cropped up this year lasted a few
weeks and were resolved. Some may still be dogging us, and if we were honest we
might admit that sometimes we wonder if they’re going to get the best of us.
The truth is: God was present and faithful before those problems came along,
and God will be present and faithful long after they are gone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What’s the name of the beast raging against you today?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When troubles seem overwhelming, hold on. God is on your
side. That’s what Revelation is all about. Tell them, <em>God may not have
started this fight, but he sure can finish it!</em> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy New Year!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">God knows the troubles that
have cropped up in your life this year. Some are already resolved, but some
feel like they’re going to dog you the rest of your life. Your heavenly Father
has been with you all this year. Affirm that he’ll be with you next year too.
And together, there’s no enemy you can’t handle!</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-53843719580020450972013-12-30T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-30T06:00:00.604-08:00Day 364: Revelation 15, 16, 17 and 18
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPw_gwlsYz5m2QFhjja0oCv-2yC42blBquTQD8Ej3EHrh_OOsyCxsys8XMcWq2o0ECydf4oltM_2f-9jBWZYJ-LAJBN2_Q8NDEa9S7sy9Ohu3wriMudiHreY7rZFOvZ9KAhDKWeo6EFIw/s1600/babylon+the+great.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPw_gwlsYz5m2QFhjja0oCv-2yC42blBquTQD8Ej3EHrh_OOsyCxsys8XMcWq2o0ECydf4oltM_2f-9jBWZYJ-LAJBN2_Q8NDEa9S7sy9Ohu3wriMudiHreY7rZFOvZ9KAhDKWeo6EFIw/s400/babylon+the+great.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Fallen is Babylon the Great!</em> (Revelation 18:2).<u><span style="color: #de7008;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The writer of Revelation delivers the same message with four
different groupings of symbols. That message is, according to Marie Strong:
“God is victorious over all the forces (and faces) of evil and the church will
endure. The Alpha and Omega is coming to judge (Revelation 1:7-8 and 22:12-13)
. . . we live with the hope that our suffering in the battle between good and
evil will be answered by the one who ‘will wipe every tear from [our] eyes’
(21:4). We will then belong with the one who makes all things new!” [17].<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In Chapter 18, we see the promised destruction of Rome. Rome
has been around for a long time, and it seems like it will dominate the world
for many years to come. But finally: the answer to our prayers. That which
seemed like a long time coming, now comes quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our battles seem to go on forever. Satan shows no mercy and
has no qualms about attacking us at our weakest point, or in waiting until
we are exhausted or discouraged to give his plans a better chance of success.
But there is coming a day when our Babylon the great – that force pitting
itself against God’s people today – will go up in smoke. God wants Believers to
know the outcome of the story – the end of the book. God wins! And so do those
who remain faithful!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What’s fighting against you? Keep resisting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Celebrate the assurance
that even when it seems our battles go on forever, you’re on the winning side and,
more importantly, God is on your side!</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-63998576462868898872013-12-29T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-29T06:00:05.002-08:00Day 363: Revelation 11, 12, 13 and 14
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXmPFHsffhYo2vI6uoTNX3SBxE_1-FSAOslmExoYrEy4pL0-s5hO4bYsyYYGKt2ldaEIBy-AvPwiHUk_oB3OyHKFCGN-6zoSaSkO6YIxxC-CZ8zdX_l9RcvC7hcUHmSJGAp70XIqw4YNm/s1600/rocky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXmPFHsffhYo2vI6uoTNX3SBxE_1-FSAOslmExoYrEy4pL0-s5hO4bYsyYYGKt2ldaEIBy-AvPwiHUk_oB3OyHKFCGN-6zoSaSkO6YIxxC-CZ8zdX_l9RcvC7hcUHmSJGAp70XIqw4YNm/s400/rocky.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and
will celebrate by sending each other gifts</em> (Revelation 11:10).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our selection for today begins with the apparent deaths of
the <em>two witnesses</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(11:3)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>– or olive trees or lampstands (v. 4),
or prophets (v. 10. We first read about the two olive trees in Zechariah where
they symbolize Zerubbabel and Joshua. Zerubbabel governed (a descendant of King
David) the exiles who had returned from Babylon and Joshua was the High Priest,
symbolic of joint godly leadership in both the political and the spiritual
realms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What I find particularly telling about this passage is the
reaction of <em>the inhabitants of the earth</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(symbolic of the unbelieving population of Rome – or Rome itself).
After their deaths,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>these scoffers
will party and send one another gifts in celebration that these two prophets
are seemingly dead. But after three and a half days – Antiochus IV (Epiphanes)
wreaked havoc on Jerusalem for three and a half years; three and a half days
and 42 months are both symbolic of significant persecution – things would start
looking up. If the inhabitants of the earth symbolize Rome, then the prophets
(olive trees, lampstands, prophets, etc.) symbolize the church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Though the church’s defeat looked like a sure thing – enough
that its enemies were already congratulating themselves with a victory
celebration, after three and a half days <em>the breath of life from God
entered them</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(11:11).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Give thanks that even when
evil prematurely throws a party thinking you’re down and out, with God’s help,
you’re still here.</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-4835190797601019162013-12-28T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-28T06:00:05.183-08:00Day 362: Revelation 7, 8, 9 and 10
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQcf62ULO_Tz9ObtXTQt-1lryjsn8xmMEPzvlR0S04wfGLjseFGyvwtfkR90YHY2gCVl_kB_8dGEn8TpPso0o72kDoBgRLeZWhDCRVs-rDU9pTZ5-LX_jh4qoHIt15FX146p_tjXwpUFJ/s1600/white+robes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQcf62ULO_Tz9ObtXTQt-1lryjsn8xmMEPzvlR0S04wfGLjseFGyvwtfkR90YHY2gCVl_kB_8dGEn8TpPso0o72kDoBgRLeZWhDCRVs-rDU9pTZ5-LX_jh4qoHIt15FX146p_tjXwpUFJ/s400/white+robes.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Who are they, and where did they come from?</em>
(Revelation 7:13).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This question is asked by one of the elders regarding the <em>great
multitude that no one could count </em>(v. 9). The writer wants his readers to
be aware that the path ahead is difficult, and for many will result in
martyrdom. The writer also wants his readers to know that they are not walking
this path alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Remember Elijah and his despair following the victory over
Baal’s prophets? He’d just experienced an incredible display of God’s power,
but one that reinvigorated Jezebel’s murderous hatred for him. He was on the
run, beyond burnout, and needed encouragement. He railed against God:<em> I
have been very zealous for [you] . . . I am the only one left, and now they are
trying to kill me too</em> (1 Kings 19:10). In other words, why have you left
me all alone? But God informed Elijah there were 7,000 others who remained
faithful. Elijah was by no means alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Likewise, God’s faithful under siege from Rome need some
assurance too. It’s tough enough to ask someone to suffer martyrdom, but it’s
even more difficult if that person thinks he (or she) is the only one making
the supreme sacrifice. The writer here encourages Believers:<em> Stay strong.
There are more faithful than you can count, and they come from all nations,
tribes, peoples and languages. You are not alone.</em><em><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The next time someone whispers in your ear,<em> Everyone
else is doing it…<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pray for strength to be
faithful in tough times, even if it seems you’re all alone. Consider that you
have brothers and sisters who are also holding true.</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-72706972612224555322013-12-27T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-27T06:00:01.402-08:00Day 361: Revelation 4, 5 and 6
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjBW2bfdkvPG7I5-1RcQ_szwXSR91RnJOgIVC3uYcNn-G3fSJVni9dbbDi-jWvocrQhhagZA_8C8nxAm0w7idRS18C5bSXHHWxhqxZ0uBVGSKWLuow7qem6UQwhCSM_dw3hZ_5gQO224J/s1600/throne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjBW2bfdkvPG7I5-1RcQ_szwXSR91RnJOgIVC3uYcNn-G3fSJVni9dbbDi-jWvocrQhhagZA_8C8nxAm0w7idRS18C5bSXHHWxhqxZ0uBVGSKWLuow7qem6UQwhCSM_dw3hZ_5gQO224J/s400/throne.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">There before me
was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it </span></em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(Revelation 4:2).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">No doubt about it;
under Roman Emperor Domitian Christianity was under attack. And one of the
first things John is shown in his heavenly vision is a throne. This is a throne
higher and mightier than the throne of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:city>
– this is the throne of heaven. And at a time when Christians might have been
wondering, <em>Is God still on the throne? </em>Revelation leaves no doubt. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">One of my favorite
scenes is when the angel proclaims: </span><em>Who is worthy to break the seals
and open the scroll?</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(5:2). For a time no one answers, and John weeps. Then one of the
elders speaks: </span><em>The Lion of the tribe of Judah . . . He is able</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(v. 5). And John turns expecting to see a
lion, but instead: </span><em>Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been
slain, standing at the center of the throne</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(v. 6).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Not only is there a
throne, encircled with a rainbow, (reminiscent of Noah’s story of God’s
preservation in Genesis 6-9); the throne is not empty – in chapter 4 a
majestic, heavenly figure is sitting on it. In chapter 5 the one sitting on the
throne is none other than Jesus Christ the Lamb of God. John illustrates that
God has come through for his people in the past and will again. To John, all of
this is evidence that God and not Rome is in control.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Have you ever felt like the
throne is empty? It’s not. What does it mean to your faith to know that God
reigns?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-81814973629418735552013-12-26T11:59:00.000-08:002013-12-26T11:59:50.818-08:00Day 360: Revelation 1, 2 and 3
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7xIzp11DOb-WP-WX1tAKKgY5Y8KORxTVkz6b224eWhZREy0-TstY55twrvp7mV6fsdCVDyfkxEB2ZraTM_BOPK5gl5UmnfWzGCcWrrophGM341yadApDpOPfuONWupeMSym5Xn_vbtBO/s1600/persecution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7xIzp11DOb-WP-WX1tAKKgY5Y8KORxTVkz6b224eWhZREy0-TstY55twrvp7mV6fsdCVDyfkxEB2ZraTM_BOPK5gl5UmnfWzGCcWrrophGM341yadApDpOPfuONWupeMSym5Xn_vbtBO/s400/persecution.jpg" width="286" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Be faithful,
even to the point of death</span></em> (Revelation 2:10).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Revelation is a message to first century Christians facing
dire persecution. Things are bad and are going to get worse before they get
better. Nowhere does God tell those who are his that they will avoid suffering.
Rather, they are warned that suffering is unavoidable, and may even lead to
death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But in Luke, Jesus tells the crowds,<em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> Do not be afraid of those who kill the body
and after that can do no more.</span></em> (12:4) And in Revelation:<em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> I am the Living One; I was dead, and now
look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades</span></em>
(1:18).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In other words, death isn’t final. Sure, the enemy is a thief
who <em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">comes only to steal and kill
and destroy</span></em> (John 10:10), but even if things go that wrong, there’s
still hope. Christ reminds us that he and not Satan holds the keys to death and
hell. And if Jesus <em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">was</span></em>
dead, but is now alive forever and ever, then may we find assurance that even
in death, death doesn’t get the final word. Death is the worst the devil can do
to us, but not even death can separate us from our Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Though being a Christian may not put <em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">your </span></em>life at risk (count your
blessings), your faith is still under attack, sometimes in such subtle ways
that you may not even recognize it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Will you be faithful this week?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank God for those who
suffer for their faith. Pray for them to stay strong. Ask God’s help to remain
faithful no matter what the enemy throws at you.</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-23127222236317640452013-12-26T11:57:00.000-08:002013-12-26T11:57:13.988-08:00Day 359c: Jude
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Be merciful to
those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show
mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh </span></em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(Jude 22,23).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Although his
audience is not identified, these friends are dear to Jude, the half-brother of
Jesus. He exhorts them to </span><em>contend for the faith</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(v. 3) and not fall prey to those who deny
Christ and persuade others to deny him too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jude says these
apostates have infiltrated the church and use God’s grace as an excuse for
immorality. Not content with satisfying their own lust, they draw others into
their web of sexual depravity. He compares them to three earlier apostates.
Cain was jealous of Abel’s acceptance by the Lord; Balaam enticed the
Israelites into sexual immorality; and Korah urged others to join him in his
rebellion against Moses. Likewise these traitors against God will be destroyed
as are all God’s enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But Jude
differentiates between instigators and those who are led astray because their
faith is weak. These they are urged to rescue if they can (vv. 22,23).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">He closes with one
of the most beautiful doxologies in the New Testament: </span><em>To him who is
able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence
without fault and great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty,
power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and
forevermore! Amen </em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(vv. 24,25).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">How can you protect
yourself from ungodly influences?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-85509501684265568292013-12-26T11:56:00.002-08:002013-12-26T11:56:21.666-08:00Day 359b: 3 John
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAswYdy70nbAfstj8kCvcdEouy2gQvmbmJbTDs_7QIPGgUlbUrlgpX37matEpJhwGNkam1vEqFtaoJsRdvRgUdhmGHcqXnGs_v38TITM7wkM_NahKT2mlvEXlggiD00jgD4kxHKnRTgYCo/s1600/welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAswYdy70nbAfstj8kCvcdEouy2gQvmbmJbTDs_7QIPGgUlbUrlgpX37matEpJhwGNkam1vEqFtaoJsRdvRgUdhmGHcqXnGs_v38TITM7wkM_NahKT2mlvEXlggiD00jgD4kxHKnRTgYCo/s400/welcome.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">They deserve any
support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their
companions in spreading the Truth </span></em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(The Message, 3 John 8).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">John writes his
friend Gaius, thanking him for the hospitality shown traveling Christians and
evangelists. Apparently that was not the norm for some churches. He references
Diotrephes, who has not only turned away Christian travelers, but has
intimidated other church members into doing the same (vv. 9,10).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Years ago, my wife
Janelle and I traveled the United States singing in churches and leading
worship for camp meetings and revivals. We relied on the kindness of strangers
as those churches supported our ministry financially and provided us food and
lodging when we were in town. I remember a poor old blind woman in Maine who
gave us the very best she had to offer, as if she was receiving Christ himself.
Though she’s passed on now, we still thank God every time the Holy Spirit
brings her to our memory, which is often.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Jesus memorialized
forever the woman who poured perfume on his head shortly before his crucifixion
(Matthew 26:6-13). He also taught: </span><em>If anyone gives even a cup of
cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you,
that person will certainly not lose their reward</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(Matthew 10:42). If we love Christ, how can
we not show hospitality to those who minister in his name?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Give thanks for those who
have stepped out in faith to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask God how you can
honor them, receive them with hospitality, and be a blessing to them in
Christ’s name.</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-8615190440277013302013-12-26T11:55:00.000-08:002013-12-26T11:55:07.151-08:00Day 359a: 2 John
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaO3abicw8EwYbUb7MYx7_M13a7-Jy2xUQneCL292tKaqthOw92r3qumwIB6tc-nhtXKcVNhmIHZLTBjWUAdttwBgVdlpx50pmFhM0NwD9hRfHsyZUewb7L_vadFGr6qmJfRSor_kIHZu/s1600/the+incarnation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaO3abicw8EwYbUb7MYx7_M13a7-Jy2xUQneCL292tKaqthOw92r3qumwIB6tc-nhtXKcVNhmIHZLTBjWUAdttwBgVdlpx50pmFhM0NwD9hRfHsyZUewb7L_vadFGr6qmJfRSor_kIHZu/s400/the+incarnation.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Many deceivers,
who do not acknowledge Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the
world </span></em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">(2 John 7).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">In John’s later years,
the church was in the very early stages of defining the Incarnation – what it
meant for God to put on human flesh. One group that spurned the growing
consensus of the church and specifically the teachings of John was the </span><em>Docetics.</em><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> Docetism insisted that Jesus was pure spirit
and only appeared to be flesh. Even after the Docetics were gone, their
teachings were adopted by the Gnostics, another heretical group.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">By emphasizing
Christ as spirit and not flesh, they elevated the importance of spirit and diminished
the importance of the body; not only his but ours as well. By extension this
implies that what we do physically has no impact on who we are spiritually.
Carried to its extreme, this allows for vile indulgence of carnal desires.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For a more subtle
effect, consider this in light of the teachings from 1 John. If Jesus did not
come in the flesh, but instead was only spirit, how does that influence the
teachings about love for God and love for others? John writes that if we love
Christ we must 1) obey his teachings; 2) love our brothers and sisters; and 3)
love them with our actions, not just our words (from 1 John).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Christ put on flesh.
So must our claims of loving Christ and loving others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank you, God, for
the Incarnation, in which your Son Jesus humbled himself, taking the form of a
servant. Help us follow his lead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">How will your love put on
flesh this week?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-10938748849223071982013-12-24T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-26T11:51:07.393-08:00Day 358: 1 John 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw1uD2cmEdilxnDwhfWh6LXD2Gtto3GnzGw6PO2ePNxu0zZkYnvMk-MNo67Ihr8hlR74TyumYC7899XOQapHWm1_2_Y6ZS58Bty3wJ9LdMhpJ9vELF3M6dTV-idM0Ajy5jX9jFWvVW2pZ/s1600/love+never+fails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw1uD2cmEdilxnDwhfWh6LXD2Gtto3GnzGw6PO2ePNxu0zZkYnvMk-MNo67Ihr8hlR74TyumYC7899XOQapHWm1_2_Y6ZS58Bty3wJ9LdMhpJ9vELF3M6dTV-idM0Ajy5jX9jFWvVW2pZ/s400/love+never+fails.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did </em>(1
John 2:6).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">John teaches that anyone who claims to know Christ but does
not obey his teachings does not really know him at all (2:4). Those who love
Christ walk in his light, but anyone who hates his brother or sister, is
walking around in darkness (2:9). And anyone who allows his brother to go
without while he enjoys plenty does not have the love of God in him (3:17).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">John 3:16 reads: <em>For God so loved the world that he gave
his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Its corresponding
verse in 1 John 3:16 says this: <em>This is how we know what love is: Jesus
Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our
brothers and sisters.</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Jesus not
only told us he loved us, he backed up his words by dying in our place. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s easy to say, <em>I love you,</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>but John says love is a matter of actions, not words: <em>Dear
children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(3:18). As did Christ, we must be
willing to back up our words with our actions, and if need be our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Can Christ see through your actions and through your
obedience that you love him? Can those close to you see your love in your
actions or just in your words?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">May your love for God be
not just a matter of words, but let your very life proclaim that his only Son
is your Savior. How can Christ’s love in your heart overflow to those around
you every day?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-66837495843900427782013-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-23T06:00:01.896-08:00Day 357: 2 Peter 1, 2 and 3
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNarH0_lsvGbX_bsxbawcWI_btsWQXp8_1ZMivmtHrAtAzH8jfnfEav4u28EOKa0uGXsGsYX6Afc8fTJcUsBLNP_qdt26kGqlIjm-qjml-YtKdJIbebSLD0EaNaUDp8SGHEXM5B1PM7-iX/s1600/top+secret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNarH0_lsvGbX_bsxbawcWI_btsWQXp8_1ZMivmtHrAtAzH8jfnfEav4u28EOKa0uGXsGsYX6Afc8fTJcUsBLNP_qdt26kGqlIjm-qjml-YtKdJIbebSLD0EaNaUDp8SGHEXM5B1PM7-iX/s400/top+secret.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>His divine power has given us everything we need for a
godly life </em>(2 Peter 1:3).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">First Peter was written secretly from Rome to those
displaced by Neronian persecution, warning them to never respond to evil with
evil, but to let their faith be refined by suffering. Time has passed since
that writing. It would seem that Peter has been discovered, or maybe he just
thinks he can’t remain hidden much longer. His life is in danger, and he writes
to his friends one last time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Second Peter is another of his letters to the same refugees
informing them among other things that he is living on borrowed time. There are
some things he needs to tell them while he still can.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Keep growing in faith, goodness, knowledge,
self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection and love </em>(from 1:5-7). We
have two choices: we can work to grow up in Christ or we can stall and become
worthless. Growing up takes effort, but God has graciously given us everything
we need.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Christ’s return is sure<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
</i>(1:16), but false prophets have leveraged his delay to infect his followers
with doubt<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(2:1). <em>They will say,
“Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?”</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
</i>(3:4). No matter what our detractors may say, we can be sure we have not
been forgotten.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Christ’s delay is measured to allow unbelievers time to
repent and believers time to mature<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(3:8-11).
God wants no one to perish, but all to come to repentance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">How does Peter’s second
secret letter speak to you?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-43179791243235184522013-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-22T06:00:01.297-08:00Day 356: 1 Peter 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXGkijkGklbxEjfGAePsX57NtYzGcTITclBniLfeZAWEht-i2EAeD9CdpDsk6tYFre5NVglj7xTV-bNKvzdrPsN-od29eB1nrxdJkpOo8vHEgKOPv0Z-8rwrGQVqNXi8pi7uCnoA579dg/s1600/peter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXGkijkGklbxEjfGAePsX57NtYzGcTITclBniLfeZAWEht-i2EAeD9CdpDsk6tYFre5NVglj7xTV-bNKvzdrPsN-od29eB1nrxdJkpOo8vHEgKOPv0Z-8rwrGQVqNXi8pi7uCnoA579dg/s400/peter.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>It is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of
unjust suffering because they are conscious of God </em>(1 Peter 2:19).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Peter is writing to Roman Christians scattered throughout
Asia Minor. They are refugees, chased from their homes through no fault of
their own. Nero blamed them for the great fire which had recently destroyed
much of the city and they are in hiding. This gives a new understanding to
Peter’s words: <em>These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of
your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by
fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(1:7). Their faith was being refined by
fire… literally.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It is from Rome he writes to these saints: <em>Live out your
time as foreigners here in reverent fear</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(1:17). <em>Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(3:9). <em>But even if you should
suffer for what is right, you are blessed</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(3:14). <em>Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come
on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(4:12). <em>If you suffer as a
Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(4:16).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In closing, Peter includes greetings from the church in
Rome, but rather than reveal his location, he adopts code language almost
apocalyptic in nature: <em>She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you,
sends you her greetings</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(5:13).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Have you ever been falsely accused?<strong><u> <o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></span></div>
<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>TODAY’S MEDITATION</strong><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></u></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank God, that even in
suffering he is at work in your life. Be reminded that you are not the first to
suffer unjustly; commit to never repay evil for evil; and praise him that you
bear the name “Christian.”</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-44057856400711549162013-12-21T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-21T06:00:03.914-08:00Day 355: James 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTgrTAo1IIZyrEzMCKMM-VNsFNFB3N1k4Yt1yVHsayx5F-zTU7v9ZxUtGM9VcJV39zEfcjL1hjenUKj-7juMT5un1c_Cnva6w6_QDGetaPUF7rbVjT46N8VJyONzu0WWAhFnvNIZMDQZc/s1600/hellfire.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTgrTAo1IIZyrEzMCKMM-VNsFNFB3N1k4Yt1yVHsayx5F-zTU7v9ZxUtGM9VcJV39zEfcjL1hjenUKj-7juMT5un1c_Cnva6w6_QDGetaPUF7rbVjT46N8VJyONzu0WWAhFnvNIZMDQZc/s400/hellfire.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their
own evil desire and enticed </em>(James 1:14).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In the 1996 Disney film <em>The Hunchback of Notre Dame,</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>loosely based on Victor Hugo’s 1831 French
novel, Archdeacon Frollo alternates between battling and embracing his feelings
of lust for the gypsy girl Esmeralda. The antagonist displays, if not virtue,
the virtuosity in excusing himself from blame, deftly pushing all
responsibility instead onto the girl.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Written by Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken, the song <em>Hellfire</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>captures Frollo’s internal torment. <em>Like
fire / hellfire / This fire in my skin/This burning / desire / Is turning my to
sin / It’s not my fault / I’m not to blame / It is the gypsy girl / The witch
who sent this flame</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>[17].<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>It’s all her fault! Don’t look at me!</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>If we could be believed, it’s never our
fault when we fall into sin. Someone else is always to blame. <em>If only she
didn’t dress like that. If only the money wasn’t sitting right there in plain
sight. If only the Internet didn’t bring this stuff right into the privacy of
my own living room.<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This is not to say others are not to blame for their own
choices, which sometimes play a part in leading us astray, or that we bear no
responsibility when we wrongly influence someone else to sinful ends, but we
won’t fool God by claiming, “The devil made me do it”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>[18]. <em>Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by
their own evil desire and enticed. </em>Or as Jerry Bridges writes in <em>The
Pursuit of Holiness:</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>“We sin
because we choose to sin” [19].<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Whose fault is it when you
sin?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-30140871652011937182013-12-20T09:48:00.000-08:002013-12-20T09:48:06.089-08:00Day 354: Hebrews 10, 11, 12 and 13
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS5x7ZK-XBwUHdRqxzvLAwgYMdfKV_pxY9HLFFzCzzDh-tBjM5jAzxP9xxvTtIBz-Lu44dd3ZZOrNfn_ckNUlC5zSGLUrYjReiedAR8IeTjry_G1DPG9K1eysf_rp7QovEO-FNghqgf05/s1600/it+is+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS5x7ZK-XBwUHdRqxzvLAwgYMdfKV_pxY9HLFFzCzzDh-tBjM5jAzxP9xxvTtIBz-Lu44dd3ZZOrNfn_ckNUlC5zSGLUrYjReiedAR8IeTjry_G1DPG9K1eysf_rp7QovEO-FNghqgf05/s400/it+is+finished.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>When this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice
for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God </em>(Hebrews 10:12).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our passage yesterday delineated one of the differences
between the sacrifices offered under the Mosaic Law and the perfect sacrifice
of Jesus. The High Priest carried bull and goat blood with him as his entrance
requirement into the Most Holy Place. Jesus needed no such animal blood; he
entered the presence of God by virtue of his own shed blood. Whereas Old
Testament sacrifices were symbolic, his sacrifice was the real thing – what the
symbols pointed to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Today’s reading points out another difference. We know
animal sacrifices had to be repeated over and over again, because they were
insufficient to remove the guilt of sin. Certain sacrifices were offered every
single day. <em>Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious
duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take
away sins </em>(v. 11). Though a priest’s work was never done, notice Jesus’
next move after offering his perfect sacrifice: <em>He sat down at the right
hand of God.</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>He could rest
because his work was done. The plan of salvation was complete. His sacrifice
never need be offered again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The work begun in a manger was completed on a cross. This
should make more meaningful for us Jesus’ declaration: <em>It is finished</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(John 19:30).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Give thanks that Jesus
accomplished what a thousand years of Mosaic sacrifices couldn’t.</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-54596084065039141392013-12-20T09:46:00.000-08:002013-12-20T09:46:06.381-08:00Day 353: Hebrews 7, 8 and 9
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VDnBELfRH5EB4fp2cNdfa02deJgEWeZeYqpUwKl-igtis4EMZpK8ykSo4DPgEgZPb_6a6ievIPvqbhGXNXfJmQ6gyoFYXUA3KLnPBkbJCmABloRYPNFxrzbvzlS27ORy84hThJawWdRV/s1600/the+blood+of+christ.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VDnBELfRH5EB4fp2cNdfa02deJgEWeZeYqpUwKl-igtis4EMZpK8ykSo4DPgEgZPb_6a6ievIPvqbhGXNXfJmQ6gyoFYXUA3KLnPBkbJCmABloRYPNFxrzbvzlS27ORy84hThJawWdRV/s400/the+blood+of+christ.png" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own
blood </em>(Hebrews 9:12).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There was a big difference between the repeated sacrifices
of the Old Testament and the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. Mosaic sacrifices
were not only temporary, but insufficient to remedy humanity’s sin problem.
Nothing in and of themselves, they were symbolic of something better to be
offered by the coming Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Under the Law, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place
only once a year, and carried with him the blood of a bull sacrificed for his
own sins, and the blood of a goat for the sins of the people (Leviticus
16:11-15). That blood was his authority for being there. Without it he would
die (16:2). Without Christ’s blood, we would die. <em>Without the shedding of
blood there is no forgiveness</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(Hebrews
9:22).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When he died for our sins, the inner room Jesus our High
Priest entered was not some symbolic representation, but the very presence of
God the Father. It was not by authority of blood collected from a sacrificial
lamb, but by the authority inherent in his own blood. He didn’t need anyone or
anything to make him presentable to God; he was perfect in and of himself. <em>…so
Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a
second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting
for him</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(v. 28). In the words of
William Cowper’s immortal hymn:</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">There is a fountain filled with blood</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Drawn from Immanuel's veins.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Reflect on how Christ died
in your place, shedding his blood to wash away your sin.</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-90289105857473232752013-12-18T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-18T06:00:02.572-08:00Day 352: Hebrews 4, 5 and 6
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOs03R4_Itv2bHF4zZgtLPBXTBjuX6UcoPNrgODWVSF10OZ5bURwsC1v2wK5cId0SGSChr8HkD_W8YYq7BZNhd6SJQP6174VOFVajKTTq0ozgtZB6H2_NILkhFXl2Hnf8A8Hb7m4tYfcJ/s1600/wizard+of+oz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOs03R4_Itv2bHF4zZgtLPBXTBjuX6UcoPNrgODWVSF10OZ5bURwsC1v2wK5cId0SGSChr8HkD_W8YYq7BZNhd6SJQP6174VOFVajKTTq0ozgtZB6H2_NILkhFXl2Hnf8A8Hb7m4tYfcJ/s400/wizard+of+oz.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time
of need </em>(Hebrews 4:16).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Growing up, I watched the <em>Wizard of Oz</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>[14]<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
</i>on TV every year. One scene we all remember is when Dorothy, the Scarecrow,
the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion first meet the Wizard. He appears as a
floating, disembodied head surrounded by smoke and flames. The four grovel
before him begging for help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Isn’t that often the attitude we bring in approaching God? At
the risk of being labeled sacrilegious, I have to admit it reminds me of the
scene from <em>Monty Python and the Holy Grail </em>[15] when God gives King
Arthur his quest: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Heading3Char"><strong>God:</strong></span> Arthur, Arthur, King of
the Britons. Oh, don’t grovel! If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s people
groveling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Heading3Char"><strong>Arthur:</strong></span> Sorry…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Heading3Char"><strong>God:</strong></span> And don’t apologize!
Every time I try to talk to someone it’s “Sorry this,” and “Forgive me that,”
and “I’m not worthy.” What are you doing now?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Heading3Char"><strong>Arthur:</strong></span> I’m averting my
eyes, O Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Heading3Char"><strong>God:</strong></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Well don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">According to Psalm 100, God invites us into his presence
with thanksgiving and praise. The writer of Hebrews says to come with
confidence, and that we don’t need to wait until we’re <em>worthy</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(until we don’t need help anymore)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>but that we will <em>receive mercy and
find grace to help us in our time of need.</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">What do you need from God
today?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-74066679207632209772013-12-17T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-17T06:00:05.905-08:00Day 351: Hebrews 1, 2 and 3
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEfCrCeFvHZ4j8lreBBmh58RrGOmJCdFbU6Qx47E3Cziq-3OBDSBqridH5YZpifCaso0s7tDSR3bfjaxI3SY8k92Cw11iXNRqeVcFiar2bknpERb8nyVlbiAzclfpyaY2NAWrkTHwE5em/s1600/crown+of+thorns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEfCrCeFvHZ4j8lreBBmh58RrGOmJCdFbU6Qx47E3Cziq-3OBDSBqridH5YZpifCaso0s7tDSR3bfjaxI3SY8k92Cw11iXNRqeVcFiar2bknpERb8nyVlbiAzclfpyaY2NAWrkTHwE5em/s400/crown+of+thorns.jpg" width="347" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom
everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through
what he suffered</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(Hebrews 2:10).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The age old question asks, <em>If God is all powerful and
all loving, why does he allow suffering in the world? </em>The problem is any
answer we come up with is insufficient in the face of actual suffering. Knowing
why we suffer could never take away our suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The writer of Hebrews tells us that God the Father used the
suffering of his Son Jesus to make him perfect. This is not to say the Father
caused the suffering, but that he used the suffering in a positive way. If the
role of suffering in Jesus’ life was to make him perfect, could it play the
same role in ours?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There’s no use fantasizing of a world without suffering,
because there’s plenty to go around in the world we have. In the future? Maybe…
but for now it’s a fact of life, a given. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When we suffer, we have basically two choices. We can either
rail against the heavens, blaming God for our pain, or we can fall into his
comforting arms, surrender our will to his, and allow him to do his perfecting
work in our lives. It’s going to be painful either way. The question is: Will
we suffer <em>for a purpose,</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>or
will we suffer for nothing? If God the Father perfected his Son through
suffering, he can do the same for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Everyone suffers, but we don’t have to suffer for nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">How has God used suffering
to perfect you?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-81063779581743946382013-12-16T06:02:00.000-08:002013-12-16T06:02:00.149-08:00Day 350 (part 2): Philemon<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyaRY36y0426WGffBDUCtHmiRp1_qbbwC1SAY3iKDTbRHQgrP3yVLcdP24cA24VmmY9J4sdgCiJX1IUEx4ZMB067GkVATY7SUnyp0ATHNC6j8Rnz2YZLF5n2BrApNa3Vbx9aZOFMKyqwN/s1600/onesimus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyaRY36y0426WGffBDUCtHmiRp1_qbbwC1SAY3iKDTbRHQgrP3yVLcdP24cA24VmmY9J4sdgCiJX1IUEx4ZMB067GkVATY7SUnyp0ATHNC6j8Rnz2YZLF5n2BrApNa3Vbx9aZOFMKyqwN/s400/onesimus.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a
little while was that you might have him back forever – no longer as a slave,
but better than a slave, as a dear brother </em>(Philemon 15,16).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Onesimus, whose name ironically means <em>profitable,</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>is a runaway slave belonging to
Philemon [13]. Absconding to Rome, he has been converted under Paul’s ministry.
Now, for whatever reason, Paul must send him back – a risky proposition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">William Barclay reminds us what it was like to be a slave in
the Roman Empire. 60,000,000 slaves made rebellion a fearsome potentiality at
any time. Runaways were dealt with swiftly and harshly. Their foreheads might
be branded with an <em>F</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>signifying
them as <em>fugitivus.</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>If the
owner decided he was incorrigible, the slave would likely be crucified as a
lesson to others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, tells believing slaves
to treat their believing masters with more respect for they are not only their
masters, but also their brothers in Christ (6:1,2). He tells Philemon that even
though Onesimus was anything but <em>profitable</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>to him in the past, now as a believer his value to both of them is
greatly increased.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Fifty years later Ignatius, led in chains from Antioch to be
martyred in Rome, writes a letter to the church in Ephesus and their bishop <em>Onesimus.</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Did Onesimus the slave become Onesimus
the bishop? We don’t know, but it makes for compelling conjecture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Who do you need to treat
better this week?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-13856578565480377672013-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-16T06:00:03.725-08:00Day 350 (part 1): Titus 1, 2 and 3<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAuDVaMJRezLEHCqGMcQhjcEflv0_OMDfKeBVr0900cENnNENf3L2mYGIDEo7WJXA5TACCP-ixkugSeacSws-kfiQtDnjx5t3P1PFvy9qg45-CjMV0aTG_V9s68RjPgMCW_zZR6OdAepT/s1600/making+christ+attractive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAuDVaMJRezLEHCqGMcQhjcEflv0_OMDfKeBVr0900cENnNENf3L2mYGIDEo7WJXA5TACCP-ixkugSeacSws-kfiQtDnjx5t3P1PFvy9qg45-CjMV0aTG_V9s68RjPgMCW_zZR6OdAepT/s400/making+christ+attractive.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to
all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and
to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age </em>(Titus
2:11,12).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Paul, in his letter to Titus (ministering in Crete), has
much to say to us about our Christian witness. Older men are encouraged to live
in such a way as to be worthy of respect, to model <em>agape</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>love, and steadfastness. Older women
are told to be reverent and to teach young women to respect their husbands,
love their children and be industrious in their duties at home. Young men are
taught to behave in a mature fashion. Slaves are taught to honor their masters,
and to be trustworthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">These moderate, respectful and respectable behaviors are not
ends in themselves, but for a purpose – to make attractive their witness for
Christ. Paul goes on to say we don’t have to accomplish these behaviors in our
own strength. The same grace that saved us is at work in us to help us grow in obedience
and self-control. In fact, the phrase <em>self-control</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>is mentioned four times just in this chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">How many times have we seen those claiming to represent
Christ behaving anything but respectfully, respectably and self-controlled? And
how often has the cause of Christ been damaged as a result? People are
watching, and our witness makes a difference.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">How will you walk in
wholeness that the Christian life might be made attractive to your friends this
week?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-72974450084534767802013-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-15T06:00:04.130-08:00Day 349: 2 Timothy 1, 2, 3 and 4
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzTYeXGo6LLE_q74Q8ISSk-GgiUuXVNTRWp-S6R6XiEYR7w2KqppcT7s3POMrsRd8scCJvMOhZ3D6FJi5ThJuewcXN9Xf88U8Kr7WDQmdCgNw6Hi-kJ9LbtHLlCOWobsvW2tLFO_4LqO5/s1600/fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzTYeXGo6LLE_q74Q8ISSk-GgiUuXVNTRWp-S6R6XiEYR7w2KqppcT7s3POMrsRd8scCJvMOhZ3D6FJi5ThJuewcXN9Xf88U8Kr7WDQmdCgNw6Hi-kJ9LbtHLlCOWobsvW2tLFO_4LqO5/s400/fear.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a
spirit of power and love and self-control </em>(NCV, 2 Timothy 1:7).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Galatians 5:22,23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which
includes self-control [12]. The term <em>self</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">-</i>control may be misleading, since it is hardly self that does the
controlling. In fact, self<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>being in
control is a lie. The self<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>is
controlled either by the infilling and empowering of the Holy Spirit, or it is
controlled by whatever <em>spirit </em>happens to be strongest in us on any
given occasion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In 2 Timothy, Paul writes to his protégé, telling Timothy he
must never let fear deter him from sharing the gospel. It’s easy to make
decisions out of fear: fear of what might happen to us if we pursue a certain
path, or fear of what people around us will think. In those cases we are
playing to the wrong audience. It doesn’t matter what people think; the only
opinion that really counts is God’s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A battle rages for control of self<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>The spirit of fear opposes the spirit of power, love and
self-control and wants to run the show. But self-control means fear doesn’t get
to tell us what to do anymore. In other contexts self-control means anger
doesn’t get to tell us what to do, or lust doesn’t get to tell us what to do.
Those things no longer control self;<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>now
the Spirit is in control.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Either the Spirit calls the
shots, or fear does. What does it mean to you to say, “Fear doesn’t get to tell
me what to do anymore”?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-11772978386014564552013-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-14T06:00:03.768-08:00Day 348: 1 Timothy 4, 5 and 6
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SbyNWyZSRMoJJlxUoymlynx_dlskfkqlxqHh1GGSx6svZ9E53KsuZXN4tWV9Gx3TGHP4bQ5dHPBxxq-TYfbdczG52LejPe2yiyoY3hK7iut_qhcBH-wE50AIKuphDPO9OsX6OydOfDs3/s1600/raspberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SbyNWyZSRMoJJlxUoymlynx_dlskfkqlxqHh1GGSx6svZ9E53KsuZXN4tWV9Gx3TGHP4bQ5dHPBxxq-TYfbdczG52LejPe2yiyoY3hK7iut_qhcBH-wE50AIKuphDPO9OsX6OydOfDs3/s400/raspberries.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be
rejected if it is received with thanksgiving </em>(1Timothy 4:4).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Certain religious groups have determined that unless
Scripture explicitly approves something, then it must be forbidden. The most
common example of this involves the use of musical instruments in worship.
Because there is no explicit example of instrumental music in New Testament
churches, they deny its use as well. They’re okay for home but not for church.
Other groups, and probably the majority of present day Christians take the
opposite approach. Since there is no explicit prohibition to using instruments
in worship, they see no harm enjoying them in church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Paul is not writing about musical instruments in this
passage, but about those who have prohibited marriage and certain foods. Paul
says, <em>Wait a minute! The glass is half full, not half empty. Everything God
created is good. Enjoy it, and be thankful to God for the happiness it brings.<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But Satan can pervert anything. Enjoying tasty food is good;
gluttony is bad. Sexual desire is good within the bonds of marriage, but
translated into lust and exploitation, it hurts everyone it touches. Making a
living and providing for one’s family is appropriate; transforming a God-given
gift to provide into a miserly appetite to possess more and more while others
go without; that’s just selfish. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>God has made these things clean, so don’t call them
unholy!</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(NCV, Acts 10:15).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">What are you enjoying for
which you need to say, “Thank you”?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-224491594075850782013-12-13T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-13T06:00:01.041-08:00Day 347: 1 Timothy 1, 2 and 3
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0Mpdr5RxySrUMRModUNCTsr7qQjgSfRBhksQQhaJsrr4o8voOV88lE-Bu_LOSoZQlskxzHHVr_vDgKA5aPFewA_X5rSAi3pcMtf2MSUWtCjs6uo0oJEQQg0sWOvB_rSmE0svFUMjPg1W/s1600/no+girls+allowed.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/AVvXsEgL0Mpdr5RxySrUMRModUNCTsr7qQjgSfRBhksQQhaJsrr4o8voOV88lE-Bu_LOSoZQlskxzHHVr_vDgKA5aPFewA_X5rSAi3pcMtf2MSUWtCjs6uo0oJEQQg0sWOvB_rSmE0svFUMjPg1W/s400/no+girls+allowed.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority
over a man; she must be quiet </em>(1Timothy 2:12).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This verse has been cited by many as an excuse to limit the
ministerial role of women in the church. This is a misapplication of the
biblical testimony as a whole, elevating one contested statement from Paul over
and against the clear teaching of Jesus. In his teaching on divorce (Mark
10:2-12), Jesus corrects the rabbinical patriarchal tradition by citing God’s
original plan for marriage (Genesis 2:24) as having priority over Moses’
instruction in Deuteronomy 24:1 [7]. A convincing argument can be made that
hierarchical divisions between male and female resulted from the fall, and were
not God’s original intention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Regarding the 1 Timothy passage, it is interesting to note
that when Paul wrote this he was well aware and readily accepted the fact that women
were exercising authority in other churches [8]. One point that may alleviate
the confusion on this passage is how the Greek <em>authentein</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(authority)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>is translated. It has been translated by some as “domineer,” or
“act on his/her own authority” [9]. If this is correct, Paul is speaking
against women in authority only if administered in the wrong way [10].<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Gilbert Bilezikian reminds us that <em>authentein</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>is found nowhere else in Scripture, so
we don’t really know exactly what Paul meant [11]. It is irresponsible to build
a theology or polity on one disputed text.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Reflect on the women who
have faithfully ministered the gospel to you. Give thanks for them and, if
possible, to them.</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-68190638683973553722013-12-12T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-12T06:00:00.439-08:00Day 346: 2 Thessalonians 1, 2 and 3
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTKLOtAolcjUp5qeyg4IX5z1yrBc3EaadGuOlIQeoYQgd2t1Pomugt4_zQDCjxPyL6JYcxnj_cTsrKbL70jnN7werkFnkxe0ROl2-mxFPdgJ0niRynh6d5BeQvZQHXcVXT9mDrz5HR9oM/s1600/2+thessalonians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTKLOtAolcjUp5qeyg4IX5z1yrBc3EaadGuOlIQeoYQgd2t1Pomugt4_zQDCjxPyL6JYcxnj_cTsrKbL70jnN7werkFnkxe0ROl2-mxFPdgJ0niRynh6d5BeQvZQHXcVXT9mDrz5HR9oM/s400/2+thessalonians.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day
will not come until . . . the man of lawlessness is revealed </em>(2
Thessalonians 2:3).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A counterfeit letter had apparently gone out in Paul’s name
claiming Christ had already returned, throwing the Thessalonian Christians into
a panic, which is why Paul is now writing. He assures them these rumors are
false, and that certain conditions must first be met [4]. About these he has
communicated with them previously, but of this we have no record. While they
knew exactly what Paul was talking about, we do not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This <em>man of lawlessness</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>language is similar to the <em>Antichrist </em>motif, although it
is language Paul repeats in no other extant materials [5]. If this letter is
genuine, and the evidence could go either way, it is reminiscent of Daniel’s <em>abomination
that causes desolation</em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>(Daniel
9:27) – a reference to Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), the Greek tyrant king who
brutalized the Jews and sacrificed swine’s flesh on the Jerusalem altar –
referenced by Jesus (Matthew 24:15) regarding the coming Roman desecration of
the Temple.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chapter one, verse four suggests the Thessalonians are being
persecuted. This would explain the apocalyptic tone, more reminiscent of John’s
Revelation than any other Pauline writings [6]. It should be noted that the
main function of Christian apocalyptic is to reassure the persecuted that God
is on their side, and that in the end he will be victorious over their enemies.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While many other issues cannot be addressed with certainty,
that’s a message we can receive with confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">From what or whom do you
need rescued?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142891344595464056.post-40504778015538215872013-12-11T11:25:00.001-08:002013-12-11T11:25:20.731-08:00Day 345: 1 Thessalonians 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN8aWXZPrqVu2UXykvaSGqncXO_wGpmYa8ijxxVYlBc9eEMD8a2DigxCRcpx5ehcN6urohfuedzu4v4WLnHh92Q4JZc0AFX8TiR64dO1BOvmtDwY2OTH7WAWsZsPPfPL2_2bPFnmFjMhm/s1600/piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQN8aWXZPrqVu2UXykvaSGqncXO_wGpmYa8ijxxVYlBc9eEMD8a2DigxCRcpx5ehcN6urohfuedzu4v4WLnHh92Q4JZc0AFX8TiR64dO1BOvmtDwY2OTH7WAWsZsPPfPL2_2bPFnmFjMhm/s400/piano.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>You are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will take
pride in when our Lord Jesus Christ comes </em>(NCV, 1 Thessalonians 2:19).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As the year winds down and Christmas approaches, I’m
catching visions of people from my past... people who have made a difference in
my life, and some for whom (hopefully) I’ve made a difference in theirs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I think about Evelyn Musolff, who was my Sunday School
teacher when I was eight. I’ll never forget her. Or Larry Best, another Sunday
School teacher when I was a pre-teen. I remember him taking me and a friend
trout fishing on opening day. Both Evelyn and Larry passed away in just the
last few months. I think of Beverly Kerstetter, my piano teacher, who confessed
to me years later that every week as I played, she sat next to me praying that
God would use my music for his kingdom. And of course there was my mom and dad.
From my mom I learned a subtle lesson of how to persevere when things aren’t
going my way, and in a more overt way my dad was the greatest spiritual
influence in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This Thessalonians passage reminds me that bank accounts,
fancy cars, media broadcasts and publishing deals are not how I measure my
impact as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I stand before God, my
reward will be Christ, and the changed lives of those connected to him because
I was available and there for them when they needed me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">TODAY’S MEDITATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></strong></div>
<span class="MsoIntenseEmphasis"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 44.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank God for those whose
ministries have touched your life. How will you now positively impact others
with the good news of Jesus Christ?</span></em></strong></span></span>tim irwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13984964382857899330noreply@blogger.com0