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I called upon the Lord when I was in a tight spot; He answered me and set me in an open place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear; what can man do to me? The Lord is on my side; He is among those who help me; therefore I will not be ashamed when... I look at those who are against me. It is better to rely on the Lord for protection and guidance than to trust in man.
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Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
By faith...
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…Noah (guilty of drunkenness, Genesis 9:20-23) became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
…Abraham (twice guilty of lying to authorities about his wife, Genesis 12:10-20, 20:1-11) was looking for a city whose architect and builder is God.
…Sarah (guilty of weak faith in God’s promise, Genesis 18:9-15) received the ability to conceive.
…Isaac (also guilty of lying to authorities about his wife, Genesis 26:6-11) blessed his sons regarding things to come.
…Jacob (guilty of trickery, cheating and theft, Genesis 27:18-27) as he was dying, worshipped.
…Joseph (guilty of extreme arrogance, Genesis 37:5-11) when he was dying, made mention of God’s future faithfulness.
…Moses (guilty of murder, Exodus 2:11-14) considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking for the reward.
…Armies of Israel (guilty of unbelief, Hebrews 3:12-19) circled Jerico for 7 days and the walls fell down.
…Rahab (guilty of prostitution, Joshua 2:1-21) was saved from the destruction of the disobedient.
…Gideon (guilty of unbelief/doubt Judges 6:11-18, 36-40)…Barak (guilty of irresponsibility in leadership, Judges 4:4-8)…Samson (guilty of lust, Judges 14:1-2, 16:1, 16:4)…Jephthah (guilty of impulsive decision making, Judges 11:29-35)…David (guilty of adultery, murder and abuse of power, 2 Samuel 11:1-25)…Samuel (guilty of poor family leadership, 1 Samuel 8:1-3)…conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight…received their dead back by resurrection; were tortured, experienced mocking and scourging also chains and imprisonment…were stoned, sawn in two, tempted, put to death…were destitute, afflicted, ill-treated…wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
All these…GAINED APPROVAL THROUGH THEIR FAITH!!
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As I continually recognize the depth of depravity and violation of God's standard (from obvious to subtle ways in my heart) I am comforted that my approval is based on my faith and not my ability to perform.
__________________________________________________
…Noah (guilty of drunkenness, Genesis 9:20-23) became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
…Abraham (twice guilty of lying to authorities about his wife, Genesis 12:10-20, 20:1-11) was looking for a city whose architect and builder is God.
…Sarah (guilty of weak faith in God’s promise, Genesis 18:9-15) received the ability to conceive.
…Isaac (also guilty of lying to authorities about his wife, Genesis 26:6-11) blessed his sons regarding things to come.
…Jacob (guilty of trickery, cheating and theft, Genesis 27:18-27) as he was dying, worshipped.
…Joseph (guilty of extreme arrogance, Genesis 37:5-11) when he was dying, made mention of God’s future faithfulness.
…Moses (guilty of murder, Exodus 2:11-14) considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking for the reward.
…Armies of Israel (guilty of unbelief, Hebrews 3:12-19) circled Jerico for 7 days and the walls fell down.
…Rahab (guilty of prostitution, Joshua 2:1-21) was saved from the destruction of the disobedient.
…Gideon (guilty of unbelief/doubt Judges 6:11-18, 36-40)…Barak (guilty of irresponsibility in leadership, Judges 4:4-8)…Samson (guilty of lust, Judges 14:1-2, 16:1, 16:4)…Jephthah (guilty of impulsive decision making, Judges 11:29-35)…David (guilty of adultery, murder and abuse of power, 2 Samuel 11:1-25)…Samuel (guilty of poor family leadership, 1 Samuel 8:1-3)…conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight…received their dead back by resurrection; were tortured, experienced mocking and scourging also chains and imprisonment…were stoned, sawn in two, tempted, put to death…were destitute, afflicted, ill-treated…wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
All these…GAINED APPROVAL THROUGH THEIR FAITH!!
_________________________
As I continually recognize the depth of depravity and violation of God's standard (from obvious to subtle ways in my heart) I am comforted that my approval is based on my faith and not my ability to perform.
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Saturday, August 1, 2009
Teach Me To Love, Lord
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Father, please continue to show/teach me this truth...
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. Even if I speak God's Word with power, revealing ALL His mysteries and making everything plain as day but don't love, I'm nothing! I'm bankrupt without love.
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Father, please continue to show/teach me this truth...
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. Even if I speak God's Word with power, revealing ALL His mysteries and making everything plain as day but don't love, I'm nothing! I'm bankrupt without love.
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