tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57938712618402345112024-02-19T11:03:12.737-06:00FaithWalkInspiration for Your Journey of Faith - "For we live by faith, not by sight." -II Corinthians 5:7Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-71261211305069942452017-04-29T22:08:00.002-05:002017-06-03T18:07:22.875-05:00Prayer Equals Peace<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIxFQhx-jiZETuThMzn3pK8SVRlNWzeorDRMNcPi_lFUi-GpASoVT8eCxsEdzHOMvG5lQ9NInowSDvnE8XksNIcyPgl4rmh8HC5vQmFxEjJzBXTi0Eu0IMkOjgA0weysZ-GA60xHVdoM/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIxFQhx-jiZETuThMzn3pK8SVRlNWzeorDRMNcPi_lFUi-GpASoVT8eCxsEdzHOMvG5lQ9NInowSDvnE8XksNIcyPgl4rmh8HC5vQmFxEjJzBXTi0Eu0IMkOjgA0weysZ-GA60xHVdoM/s200/IMG_0016.JPG" width="150" /></a>“But seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to
you. Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day
is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:33-34).</div>
<br />
We all face a certain amount of stress in life. Sources of stress can range from going through difficult
experiences to the rather normal day-to-day pressures that we all face. Stress can come from work, relationships, children,
marriage, health, school, deadlines, and even traffic. Opportunities to be stressed-out abound. But God has provided for us a gift of His peace. To rise
above the stress and experience His peace, we need to pray.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It seems that we may tend to ignore prayer when we feel
stressed, especially when the to-do list is a mile long. But that is precisely when we need to draw
near to God. In fact, if you will take
the time to regularly soak in prayer, I think you will find that your life will
be permeated with an atmosphere of peace that is not dependent on your
circumstances.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Change can often be a source of stress. Recently, Leslie and I have been in a place
where we’re feeling pressure to make some decisions regarding our future. I’m about to graduate from law school. I have to decide the state where I will take
the bar exam and where I want to practice law.
We need to decide where we will live.
I don’t have a job lined up, so I’ve been looking for job opportunities. And I’ve had the normal day-to-day stress of
law school and finishing up my final semester.
Certainly graduating is an exciting time, but also a time of transition
and change. It’s an opportunity to feel
stressed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Success can also be a source of stress. Jesus experienced success in his ministry,
such that “the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great
multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities”
(Luke 5:15). The following Scripture
says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). Rather than being stressed by the multitudes
pressing against Him, Jesus prayed. His
identity was not in the multitudes. His
identity was in His relationship with the Father. Whether he was being rejected by people or
praised by people, Jesus had peace.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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God’s purpose is that you have peace regardless of
circumstances. Whether you are
experiencing times of accelerated success or are going through a difficult
time, you can have peace when you are rooted in Christ. When the storm around you rages, you can be
at peace. When the word fumes with anger
and fear, you can have peace. How is
this possible? It is possible because peace
is not a place, peace is a person. Jesus
is peace. If you will pray, you will
have peace. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Recently,
my father-in-law encouraged me, saying that the “place” is not important, what
God desires is my heart. Whether we stay
in Virginia Beach, move back to Texas, or make our home in Washington D.C. (or
some other place), is not as important as our heart for the Lord. I’ve been stressing out, but when Leslie and
I began to pray, we have felt God’s peace in a greater way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When we pray, we have peace.
I have determined that I am not going to worry about things, I am just
going to pray and trust God. He has
everything under control. He has the
right job for me. He has the right “place”
for us. I have determined to be fully
surrendered to the Lord in every area of my life. The most important thing in my life is to
walk with the Lord, be obedient to Him, and love my wife as Christ loves the
church. I am certainly not perfect,
but I am pressing forward to the high call of Christ Jesus. When I sit back and think about it, my life has been an exciting adventure. It hasn't been easy, at times stressful, but I am grateful. I am grateful for the life God has given me. And I am thankful that when I pray, I feel His peace. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let
your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Philippians 4:6-7<o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-12468370571969569622017-04-18T19:07:00.001-05:002017-04-18T19:27:22.959-05:00Beautiful In His Time<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw-N1RW8CW_W95CMQIjN6IfXVxjM6aB8D3w_HxF8ZSBZy7efm0RkiTtAvuo1vhH7-6xGh5L8wdeAU_iPnspV0_2ZyN_qnMIH0E8lj2l2DIqZm_940WxsvjW6y11MFmKm_9oUvSybFqrA/s1600/P1150655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw-N1RW8CW_W95CMQIjN6IfXVxjM6aB8D3w_HxF8ZSBZy7efm0RkiTtAvuo1vhH7-6xGh5L8wdeAU_iPnspV0_2ZyN_qnMIH0E8lj2l2DIqZm_940WxsvjW6y11MFmKm_9oUvSybFqrA/s320/P1150655.JPG" width="320" /></a><b>"The end of a
matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride."</b></div>
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<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Ecclesiastes 7:8</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When we walk with Lord the end of our lives can be filled with richness, blessing and fulfillment. God’s blessing
can outweigh any heartache or pain we have experienced. God is always faithful to His promises if we
are willing to wait on His fulfillment.
Impatience often leads to pain, but if we are willing to wait on God, He
makes “everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:10). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sometimes we are unwilling to wait on God to make things
beautiful. We may look at our present circumstances
and question whether things can ever really change.
We may give up on what could someday bring us great fulfillment. For example, if your marriage is experiencing hard times, perhaps even a betrayal, you may think that life can never
be good with your spouse. Yet, if you choose
to forgive and choose to love, God can bring beauty from the ashes. He can restore the years the enemy has
stolen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I often think of Joseph and how hard it must have been on
him to be betrayed by his family and sold as a slave. He remained faithful in
temptation, yet ended up in a dark, damp dungeon cell. Perhaps he stared at that cell wall and
wondered if his life could ever be good again.
Yet, despite his pain, He remained faithful to God. He endured.
In the process, God prepared Him for the throne. His day came.
He was able to say, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all my
father’s household” and “God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering”
(Genesis 41:51). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Isaiah 40:1-2 says, <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Comfort, comfort my people,<o:p></o:p></div>
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says your God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,<o:p></o:p></div>
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and proclaim to her<o:p></o:p></div>
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that her hard service has been completed,<o:p></o:p></div>
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that her sin has been paid for,<o:p></o:p></div>
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that she has received from the Lord’s hand<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
double for all her sins.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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God gave Joseph two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. I believe that number is symbolic. As I see it, Joseph experienced two major
betrayals in his life. He was first
betrayed by his family and sold into slavery.
And then, even though a man of integrity, he was betrayed by his
master and condemned to the dungeon. But
God lavished on him a double blessing for all of his pain. God will be a debtor to no person. While Joseph was suffering, He was storing up interest in his account with God. When His promise was fulfilled, He received a double portion of blessing, an outpouring of God! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You may look at your present circumstances and wonder if
you can ever be blessed. You may wonder
if things can ever be good again. I’m
here to tell you if you will persist in the Lord, He will bring you into a
place of abundant blessing. He will make everything
in your life beautiful in its time. As
the words of the Tobymac song say, "I know your heart been broke
again. I know your prayers ain't been
answered yet. I know you're feeling like
you got nothing left. Well, lift your
head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet, so Move, keep walkin'. Soldier keep movin' on." My friend, keep walking!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-72534042223479448812017-01-05T21:54:00.001-06:002017-01-06T11:35:00.434-06:00An Elevated Perspective<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9qvy5UBeTKmRPD9ZlRn043ybvikw6YQqEmvJQzWlcyFrzZVFUYweZMCiMhXj9-VbYjcO8R4Urw5amfWRznPmA-nOJDetrMJNhheNQ5juzDD1r08zt93YN87RtR1jwh0vF_V-W0tp0ew/s1600/Winter+Path+Near+Falls+River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9qvy5UBeTKmRPD9ZlRn043ybvikw6YQqEmvJQzWlcyFrzZVFUYweZMCiMhXj9-VbYjcO8R4Urw5amfWRznPmA-nOJDetrMJNhheNQ5juzDD1r08zt93YN87RtR1jwh0vF_V-W0tp0ew/s320/Winter+Path+Near+Falls+River.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“But we all, with
unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of
the Lord.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">-II Corinthians 3:18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The state tree of Michigan, my home state, is the white pine. Though not the tallest tree in the world, it
is a tall tree. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If I were hiking through
the forest and needed an elevated perspective, certainly the top of a tall
white pine would provide that, if I could get there. Likewise, when we walk through life’s trials,
sometimes we need an elevated perspective.
We need to be able to rise above the difficulties we see around us, and
get a higher view. We need to see what
God sees.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We may pray for problems to go away or for circumstances to
change, but God may have a greater purpose than simply fixing the problem. When circumstances test our faith, we may
question God’s faithfulness. We may get
frustrated or angry with the process. We
may get bogged down with discouragement.
Often we see things from our limited perspective. But God has an elevated perspective to offer
us, if we will humble ourselves and seek Him.
In Him we can obtain “the mind of Christ” (I Corinthians 2:16).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together
for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His
purpose.” What is God’s purpose? Certainly God’s purpose is to save
people. Jesus said, “the Son of Man has
come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). But once we have come to Christ, God’s
purpose is to make us like Jesus. He
wants to transform our lives, from glory to glory, healing us, restoring us,
and perfecting us into His likeness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Romans 8:29 says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined
to be conformed to the image of His Son…”
God often uses life’s trials to form within us the nature and character
of Christ. When Christ emerges from our
pain, God is glorified. In our trials,
what we need to do is draw near to Christ in faith. Rather than becoming bitter, we need to allow
Him to change us from the inside. The
temptation is often to allow bitterness and disappointment to settle in our
hearts. But when we begin to allow
Christ be formed in us, the work of transformation has begun and victory is
near. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God changes us from glory to glory. It’s a process, a continual, ongoing
process. We are ever in the process of
becoming more and more like Jesus. I
think God is less concerned with how far we’ve come, and more concerned that we
are making progress. We are growing,
little by little every day. Sometimes we
are ourselves unaware of our own growth. You may in fact be growing much more than you realize. But right now, because you're in the midst of the difficulty, you just can't see it. You may feel like a failure, but God is watching you, and He is saying, "I'm so proud of you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you know you're not where you should be, that's okay. Maybe right now is a good time to stop and take inventory. Are you becoming more loving or more
bitter? Are you becoming more cynical or more hopeful? Take a look at your heart. Once you have taken stock of where you're at, give yourself some grace. We “grow
in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter
3:18). If necessary, re-commit yourself
today to seeking the Lord and getting in His Word. Allow Him to provide you with the perspective you need. He will lead us into greater dimensions of His Spirit, greater depths of healing, greater levels of intimacy with Him, and to greater
heights of victory. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-64538374121866071892016-12-26T14:35:00.001-06:002016-12-26T14:42:32.307-06:00Before<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66NYBw4wNFiNzMC-njsJOCg9qxFbuGqFyGKgRTo5Zv2btG0o-USaE8OL9dgJuF_z_DneH5PALrTzsTP8sUWwbpawwS19-MU1iL0LVgebDyYIq-2nKX4Dm0UYRfkhyphenhyphenBHAOdVrTfPQnQ4w/s1600/P1070519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66NYBw4wNFiNzMC-njsJOCg9qxFbuGqFyGKgRTo5Zv2btG0o-USaE8OL9dgJuF_z_DneH5PALrTzsTP8sUWwbpawwS19-MU1iL0LVgebDyYIq-2nKX4Dm0UYRfkhyphenhyphenBHAOdVrTfPQnQ4w/s320/P1070519.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before the world was created, God loved you. Before you were born, you existed in the mind
of God. And before you ever sinned, God had
already made provision for your redemption. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the beginning, before we were created, God provided a wonderful
place for us. It was a perfect paradise,
free from sin, evil, disease, pain, heartache, and death. But God, before we sinned, knowing that we
would sin, provided a way for our redemption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation
13:8). We have been redeemed with “the
precious blood of Christ… a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter
1:19). Jesus, the Lamb, was “foreordained
before the foundation of the world” (I Peter 1:20). Indeed, it is a mystery, but a glorious
mystery. All we have to do is believe!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Broadly speaking, there are three things that we struggle
with in life: 1) sin - our own and the
sins of others; 2) the attack of the enemy; and 3) the cares of this life. All of these affect us in any number of
negative ways. Yet, before we
encountered any of these, God provided a way of redemption. He is able to redeem every sin, every attack
and every burden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You may be experiencing pain in life because of your own sins. The good news is that Jesus wants to redeem
every mistake that you have made. You
may be experiencing struggles because of the way others have
treated you. The good news is that
before you were ever mistreated, God provided for your healing. Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed
them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Through His Word, God has provided a pathway
for your healing. With persistent faith,
you can overcome! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You may be under attack from the enemy. The good news, God has already provided
victory for you. Before the enemy attacked
you, God provided a way for you to walk victorious. By taking up the weapons of His Word, prayer, worship, faith and the authority God has given you, you can and will claim victory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You may be struggling right now with the cares of life. Those cares want to suck you in and overwhelm
you with worry and fear. Yet, before the
stress of life ever happened, God provided a way for you to walk in peace. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." All you have to do is believe! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Often our problem is simply that we don't take the time to turn to God in our struggles. We try to tackle life on our own. But if we will each stop and spend some time with God, in His presence, and engage in the battle by faith, we can have all that God has provided for us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God loves you. His
love covers a multitude of sins (I Peter 4:8).
No matter how much you have sinned and no matter how overwhelmed or
embattled you feel, God has already provided a way for you to be free, at
peace, and victorious. Believe! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-91520704888605536662016-11-08T09:00:00.001-06:002016-11-08T09:00:22.767-06:00How Faith Works<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC51LInIxdJbNdMnQ_5hovmgugOiJotxmRKEfBjNY-JOvIhTKE6reManDpdMmfwRBU_PoljNs1e9wI4c8-QQ1TpZ0l4aKqbWXJ9P9DSHry6y8KMk4Ik_6KotbRoqA_nmljZ3QZCtRpgM/s1600/72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC51LInIxdJbNdMnQ_5hovmgugOiJotxmRKEfBjNY-JOvIhTKE6reManDpdMmfwRBU_PoljNs1e9wI4c8-QQ1TpZ0l4aKqbWXJ9P9DSHry6y8KMk4Ik_6KotbRoqA_nmljZ3QZCtRpgM/s320/72.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Hebrews 11:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I hope this short devotion will help you live your faith in
a practical way. I think that faith is
perhaps the most important thing we can understand in our walk with the
Lord. Hebrews 11:6 says that “without
faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that
He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” To come to God, we know that we need
faith. But how does faith work? I’d like to offer you a simple approach to
faith that I think is workable in your everyday life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To illustrate, let’s look at the first few verses of the Bible: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“In the
beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and
darkness was on the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and
there was light.” (Genesis 1:1-3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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When God looked at the earth, it was formless, void and dark. But God had a plan for earth. He saw what earth would be. He saw a beautiful place, full of plants,
trees, flowers, animals, good food, and wonderful people. “By faith we understand that the worlds were
framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of
things which are visible.” (Hebrews 11:3)
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Likewise, when God looks at us, He sees our purpose. He sees our potential. Even when we were lost and broken and in sin,
God saw what we could be in Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Faith sees. How does
faith see? Faith sees by spending time
with God. When we spend time in His
presence, we receive His Word, and His word brings forth fruit in our
lives. When God spoke, “Let there be
light, there was light.” In order to
walk in faith, we have to spend time in His presence and then speak what He has
spoken. To see God’s purpose fulfilled we have to
speak it. Romans 10:8-10 says, <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“‘The
word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’…if you confess with your
mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the
dead, you will be saved. For with the
heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The next step of faith is obedience. When we spend time with God and in His Word,
we have to walk out in obedience what He is speaking to us. Finally, faith requires persistence. Hebrews 6:11-12 says, <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“And we
desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of
hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who <i>through faith and patience inherit the
promises</i>” (emphasis mine). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In creation, the Father willed, the Son (the Word) spoke,
and the Spirit acted. Likewise, in our
lives, as we spend time with the Father, declare His word, and put it into
action, we can see great changes. Jesus
said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) The
changes we may be seeking in our lives probably won’t happen overnight. We need to <i>abide</i> in His Word and persist in it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are struggling with a problem in your life, or long
to see a promise God has given you fulfilled, I encourage you to put these
steps into practice. Get back in God’s
presence. Then, begin to meditate and
speak His Word over your life. Persist
in consistently speaking His Word. If He
gives you a specific instruction, obey Him.
It’s easy to spend our time worrying, complaining, venting frustration
over the difficulties of life. But
rather than looking at the mountains in our lives, let’s get our eyes on the
mountain-mover. That's how faith works!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“Have faith in God.
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed
and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that
those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Mark 11:22-23<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-2136873472203692272016-08-27T20:28:00.000-05:002016-08-27T20:33:25.356-05:00Jesus Brings Joy to My Soul<div class="MsoCaption" style="break-after: avoid; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11-12</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Things don't always work out the way we plan or the way we hope. Sometimes life can be hard. I know many who've been through much worse than us. But we each have our own pain and carry our own burdens. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This year we went through a miscarriage, a new experience for me and certainly for Leslie. On top of that, I've had asthma problems that I've never really had before. I went to the urgent care earlier this year because I thought I was having heart problems. It turns out it was asthma. We also both got the flu, which is unusual for me. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the past month, I've had a bronchitis cough and wake up at night coughing. It's annoying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And, on top of all of that, law school, which can be grueling and extremely demanding, but also very rewarding. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Apostle Paul wrote, after describing much that he had been through, said, "Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches." (II Cor. 11:28). I would re-write the Scripture to say, "Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of law school." </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although I try to keep a good but flexible schedule, it is hard to stay on top of everything. This week, despite my intense planning for my 3rd and final year of school, something was wrong with my schedule and I had to make a change. I worked so hard to get things right, only to find out I did something wrong. That's life... no matter how hard we try to do right sometimes, we still make mistakes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anyways, I'm not writing this to draw attention to myself. I know some who are going through difficult things in their lives, probably more difficult than what I've experienced this year. Nevertheless, God is working. I believe the Lord is calling us to set all of this aside, fix our eyes on Him, and, in the words of a Casting Crowns song, "Just be held." If we will take the time to truly seek Him, we can find all that we need in the arms of our Father.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Last night, in my dream, there was a song. It went something like this: "</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">Jesus…Jesus… Jesus brings joy to my
soul. My rest is complete, when I sit at
your feet, Jesus brings joy to my soul." Despite everything going on, I keep hearing and feeling the call of God to lay everything aside and seek Him. Sometimes that is hard to do when I'm under a school deadline. I wake up in the morning knowing I need to make certain progress, and what gets cut out from life? Time with Jesus. Time with him, however, is much more important than all of this stuff of earth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">I've posted a few pictures below from our camping trip earlier this year. One of my favorite past times is swimming in waterfalls. I love to immerse myself in the water. It is so incredibly refreshing. That's what time with Him is like. When we get in His presence, He fills us with peace, with joy, with rest. That's what I need to do right now, so I'm going to end this blog and do just that. Good night, and God Bless! May you be filled with His joy and peace!</span></div>
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Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-79691642198768671432016-08-05T20:04:00.002-05:002016-08-05T20:27:24.115-05:00Faith and Prayer: Thoughts from Our Experience at the Billy Graham Library<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5ZyqmkCDPT_ZiLo0PZSjGwzVCbxBtYPjULwjwWTYql6C3jbYXgyNq2fmvlIDSgiZGR0WC8xZQxTuMf5N-gQAWyi15hV59U71qsgbZBQeIk7s9DSHOJu8Gzg7Mf5UVlhbHhcI4-hlWZU/s1600/P1140882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5ZyqmkCDPT_ZiLo0PZSjGwzVCbxBtYPjULwjwWTYql6C3jbYXgyNq2fmvlIDSgiZGR0WC8xZQxTuMf5N-gQAWyi15hV59U71qsgbZBQeIk7s9DSHOJu8Gzg7Mf5UVlhbHhcI4-hlWZU/s200/P1140882.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recently
Leslie and I visited the <a href="http://billygrahamlibrary.org/" target="_blank">Billy Graham Library</a> in North Carolina. I was impressed by the simplicity of Billy
Graham’s life and ministry. I believe Billy
Graham to be a man of genuine humility and purity. He said, “My one purpose in life is to help
people find a personal relationship with God, which I believe, comes through
knowing Christ.” Everything he has done
seems to be centered around that simple goal.
As we moved through the library, two things struck me: Faith and Prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFIq_gn1BTECKp8IGAoJ2LBBJwkm6pEAo1EXbepWGTeLx_YIf06uienPO3UxCIfrlSKVQvQENTtFtXMMbKyy1OZM4ywl3SDNC7T3FCdfVoXJdTl8eEXWJsGoCmhnZIvYSJcKmIwfWrOM/s1600/P1140999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFIq_gn1BTECKp8IGAoJ2LBBJwkm6pEAo1EXbepWGTeLx_YIf06uienPO3UxCIfrlSKVQvQENTtFtXMMbKyy1OZM4ywl3SDNC7T3FCdfVoXJdTl8eEXWJsGoCmhnZIvYSJcKmIwfWrOM/s200/P1140999.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At
least 2-3 times in the library, as I recall, Billy expressed his simple faith
in God’s Word. He said, “I have had the
privilege of preaching the Gospel on every continent of the world. And I have found that when the Gospel of
Jesus Christ is presented, with authority, quoting from the very Word of God –
He takes that message and drives it supernaturally into the human heart.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJBD6pPPAWQ1t65zLMPasngmiptxuFzVdWDYMqFVx0aRqvyUUwin572U69Obl18UHfryyUwX6jTZV80BXU71IWc62ltQRH-4icW9IXIBASGj7lQkMBSCjbyBv3cc2hUqiUF8h1w0wm50/s1600/P1140973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJBD6pPPAWQ1t65zLMPasngmiptxuFzVdWDYMqFVx0aRqvyUUwin572U69Obl18UHfryyUwX6jTZV80BXU71IWc62ltQRH-4icW9IXIBASGj7lQkMBSCjbyBv3cc2hUqiUF8h1w0wm50/s200/P1140973.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Often I
don’t understand a lot that is going on in my life, with my family and friends,
or with the world around me. And God is
not obliged to explain everything to me.
But I have found that when I put my faith in God’s Word, even when I don’t
understand it, it makes a real difference.
When I take His Word at face value and apply it to my life by study,
meditation and declaring it over my life, it is effective. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqCifNMPijhLOxpaFM61TYJ1l7ez7MUcDV-Fq_mzW8DtAjpUVZTifRpMxZi8RueII59emRr5UAyCZcS11kiWgEs2In2uEEEVEkiIt3Jzw6fsc4oE4m-fy5yfh6Wu5KTGt8pLRPdn_hfY/s1600/P1140939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqCifNMPijhLOxpaFM61TYJ1l7ez7MUcDV-Fq_mzW8DtAjpUVZTifRpMxZi8RueII59emRr5UAyCZcS11kiWgEs2In2uEEEVEkiIt3Jzw6fsc4oE4m-fy5yfh6Wu5KTGt8pLRPdn_hfY/s200/P1140939.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It
seems to me that there are some of us who go through life as victims, and some
as victors. Often, I am guilty of playing
the victim. A victim mentality can be shown
in an attitude of ungratefulness, anger, and resentment towards those around
us. A victor, however, has a grateful attitude despite
setbacks and difficulties. A victor does
not deny problems or reality, but presses on with strong faith in God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1hTUR19wyChCubn-e_2w9jZP4ihHBibl0plp3bStNmSUczrb9rXhfQ7b8vDRN-HrU7hbYPMrd79T0mr-8ZfIhK8eXNMuSGC8-61dUXTKTwxc1BjzUB2pjGL78uJfQQHBLX_eeWmev4A/s1600/P1140890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1hTUR19wyChCubn-e_2w9jZP4ihHBibl0plp3bStNmSUczrb9rXhfQ7b8vDRN-HrU7hbYPMrd79T0mr-8ZfIhK8eXNMuSGC8-61dUXTKTwxc1BjzUB2pjGL78uJfQQHBLX_eeWmev4A/s200/P1140890.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Joyce Meyer, an excellent Bible teacher, stated
that her father raped her at least 200 times (<a href="http://www.charismanews.com/culture/56822-joyce-meyer-recounts-horrors-of-her-father-s-sexual-abuse" target="_blank">see here</a>). </span>I can’t imagine the shame and
emotional pain she endured. Over the
last year or so, my wife has been enjoying the ministry of Beth Moore. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Beth Moore was also a victim of sexual abuse (<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/august/18.21.html" target="_blank">see here</a>)</span>. One thing I notice about these
women is they don’t have a victim attitude, but the attitude of a victor. They don’t have an attitude of ungratefulness
and resentment, but an attitude of faith.
I’m sure their journey towards healing and victory was not easy, but I’m
certain it involved faith. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q1ZntNe-SgEfncDisN7vk52qx51zqtApkb_HBkuQmYqIfqqLMOsCvKqFHakVpnr2XzhHZFIf7FmhVo6xWFsYXyjCGoB_gkCFd6swo-0zyIOSJmFU53QC6jW4ryzbjKUy5IJJYPmJrd4/s1600/P1140897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q1ZntNe-SgEfncDisN7vk52qx51zqtApkb_HBkuQmYqIfqqLMOsCvKqFHakVpnr2XzhHZFIf7FmhVo6xWFsYXyjCGoB_gkCFd6swo-0zyIOSJmFU53QC6jW4ryzbjKUy5IJJYPmJrd4/s200/P1140897.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We all
have pain to some degree or another. The
world is full of pain. And God cares
about your pain. He has a pathway for
healing for each of us, if we will embrace it.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3). That pathway involves faith in God’s
Word. His word “is a lamp for my feet, a
light on my path.” (Ps. 119:105). Hebrews
12:12-13 says, "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s easy to complain; it takes courage and humility to
express faith in God’s Word. To lay
a road for healing, we must humbly accept God’s word planted in us, which can
save us (see James 1:21). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX35Andg8792jkhdB2CfTfq3oyskGc5_xWa_Xjxo4ZEph_dVZeA7vcz8j1_Gig4IDsq96wO7GAkl1eHjxCvnL7vgu0G5YtL5R-_RAGz3M4jyub3yeowmqDgFhikx1g8rDWN6061EAaLfo/s1600/P1140888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX35Andg8792jkhdB2CfTfq3oyskGc5_xWa_Xjxo4ZEph_dVZeA7vcz8j1_Gig4IDsq96wO7GAkl1eHjxCvnL7vgu0G5YtL5R-_RAGz3M4jyub3yeowmqDgFhikx1g8rDWN6061EAaLfo/s200/P1140888.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Billy
Graham said, “There are three elements to Crusade preparation: Pray, pray, pray.” And he said, “The secret is not me…The whole
secret of the success of our meetings is spiritual - it’s God answering
prayer. I cannot take credit for any of
it.” It’s no surprise that the secret to
success is prayer. It was Jesus’ secret
as well. Luke 5:15-16 says of Jesus, “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto2XN-nwxKo4p79WFRNsc40orDaRZfHIuHyjbo-CLTaWYgEGk32SMLC_E5KdXIquxLfiq-1nQcJJppEbJcR3n0wUiUiTzzfgeiYyLdmo83aVVW78gZrHt3ckLlUfjdzQMMdX9OC3qjM0/s1600/P1140937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto2XN-nwxKo4p79WFRNsc40orDaRZfHIuHyjbo-CLTaWYgEGk32SMLC_E5KdXIquxLfiq-1nQcJJppEbJcR3n0wUiUiTzzfgeiYyLdmo83aVVW78gZrHt3ckLlUfjdzQMMdX9OC3qjM0/s200/P1140937.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don’t
know about you, but when I’m not praying, I can feel it. I’m more irritable (just ask my wife) and
overall struggle with life more. But
when I pray, I feel God’s presence, His peace, and His love working in me and
through me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSpoZajjg-U2hT6EPCsYSRtgWjgTrBgPZBREklUnJtMdU-ERRFmFivF71uROKYYbCCuDoucldfWelhaPQb6daz1pIMha4_RbI8se9ReUBFKQ-jIXUDq38ZqIH-NMN3mC1v8O-JDzHXhM/s1600/P1140963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSpoZajjg-U2hT6EPCsYSRtgWjgTrBgPZBREklUnJtMdU-ERRFmFivF71uROKYYbCCuDoucldfWelhaPQb6daz1pIMha4_RbI8se9ReUBFKQ-jIXUDq38ZqIH-NMN3mC1v8O-JDzHXhM/s200/P1140963.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
world is in desperate need of God’s love.
But how can we show that love without God’s love flowing through
us? Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Prayer is an act of humility, recognizing
that we cannot do life on our own. Billy
Graham said, “People do not come to hear what I have to say. They want to know what God has to say.” That’s what it is all about, not seeking our
own will, but seeking to do the will of our Father in heaven (see John 5:19). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope
this article has been a blessing, challenge and encouragement to you. God loves you very much. With Christ, all things are possible. And all things are possible when we pray and
move in faith. </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-92229148519846657802016-07-02T23:04:00.007-05:002016-07-02T23:24:21.015-05:00Don't Reject God in Your Pain<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s easy to allow the pain of life to make us bitter. Disappointment can run deep, and we may find ourselves nursing a wound that just seems to fester and never get healed. Nevertheless, for every hurt, every difficulty, and every wound of the past, God has the answer. He has provided a way for us to move into healing and wholeness.<br />
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Though God delivered Israel out of the bondage of Egypt, I believe the healing of Israel’s soul was a process that took time. Certainly the many years bondage had a profound emotional affect. After crossing through the Red Sea, the Bible says that Israel journeyed 3 days into the wilderness. At Marah, they came upon bitter waters. There they complained against Moses. Moses “cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.” (see Exodus 15:22-27) Likewise, no matter how bitter our experience in life has been, if we will apply the cross (the tree) to our situation, God can make even the most bitter pain an oasis of sweetness.<br />
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If your past has been painful, it’s easy to respond with a bitter complaint when coming upon hardships. God, however, wants us to respond to hardships with faith in His Word. The Lord told Israel, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” (Ex. 15:26).<br />
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No matter how deep the pain of the past may be, we can overcome it! He is the Lord who heals. He heals physically, but He also heals emotionally. But how do we receive His healing?<br />
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Certainly God can heal in a moment. In a moment’s time, He could descend upon us and whisk away all the hurt, pain and disappointment. I’ve experienced at least a couple of times in my life where God has done exactly that. But most of the time healing is a process. We gain much more from the journey than we would if God instantaneously healed every wound.<br />
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God wants to do more than simply heal us. He wants us to grow and mature in the character of Christ. In order to grow, we have to do our part. Hebrews 12:12-13 says, “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” How do we make “straight paths” for our feet? We do so by walking according to God’s Word.<br />
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God’s Word has power to heal! Jesus healed by the spoken Word of God. This year I’ve made an effort to begin speaking God’s Word over my life. Some nights I’ll sit on my bed or stand by my bed in the evening and declare God’s Word out loud. Though I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be, I believe doing this has made a difference in my character. <br />
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Part of God’s healing process is to begin replacing negative thinking with God’s Word. As we speak His Word, it begins to work down deep within our character, into our souls, and where there was once darkness and shame, light and healing begin to emerge. Jimmy Evans, one of my favorite preachers, says that the pain of life is not as much the problem as the message in the pain. In other words, if you were wounded deeply as a child, it certainly hurt, but the devil also came along and spoke a lie to you. That lie may have followed you all of your life. Whatever the message was, it may have formed into a stronghold that needs to be broken by the power of God’s word. <br />
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What message of the pain have you believed? What’s your predominant thought about yourself? Perhaps it’s one of these: “I’m a failure.” “No one will ever love me.” “God is not good.” “If God were so good, how could he allow that to happen?” “God has forsaken me.” “I guess I’m just stupid!” “I’ll never be good enough.” "I'll never be happy." "I guess I'm just permanently flawed." Whatever the message is, you can begin a journey towards freedom today by grabbing a hold of God’s truth and beginning to declare it over your life.<br />
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Hebrews 12:15 encourages us to look “carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” What is the root of bitterness? I believe the root of bitterness is bitterness which causes us to turn away from God. When the Scripture says “fall short of the grace of God” it’s not talking about doing enough to be saved. If you’ve accepted Christ, you’re saved! You don’t have to earn your salvation. But falling short of God’s grace means rejecting the very one who longs to heal you.<br />
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When we become bitter due to life’s pain we may turn away from God instead of running to Him. We stop praying. We stop going to church. We withdraw from fellowship with other believers. We become angry with God and reject Him. We may engage in rebellious behavior. Rebellion is often simply the fruit of a heart that is in pain. Yet, God holds out His arms, always ready to receive us back and heal us. <br />
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Is life hard? Yes. But all that we’ve been through will work for the good if we turn to God and trust Him with our pain. Instead of getting angry with God, we need to learn to submit to Him in our pain. Don’t reject God in your pain. He loves you!<br />
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We all, to varying degrees, have experienced pain and heartache. Often, the pain was not our fault. Much of that pain may have occurred in the innocence of childhood. <i>It wasn’t your fault</i>. The message from childhood pain may have laid upon you a lifetime of shame. But today, by the power of God’s love, you can walk towards healing, wholeness and freedom. God's heart yearns to see you free. He looks upon you with great love and compassion. I believe that His heart aches for you. And He sent Jesus, on that cross, to die so that you can be saved, healed and delivered. Through His resurrection power you can experience abundant life!<br />
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Jesus said that in the last days, “many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another… And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:10, 12-13). This is the age we are living in. Many are offended. But we have a choice. Our hearts can be soured by the hardness of bitterness and cold love or our hearts can be free in the forgiveness, love and grace of God. In turn, we can warm the hearts of others with the goodness of God’s love. <br />
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God wants us to walk in an opposite spirit of this world, regardless of how painful life has been. Instead of reacting in bitterness, hatred or revenge, allow God’s Word to transform your soul. James 1:21 says, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” The <i>NIV</i> says, “humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” God’s word has the power to renovate your soul. He loves you so very much. He can make the years to come much greater than the years that you’ve left behind. Humble yourself. Turn to Him. He’s a good God. He longs to heal and restore you, to repair all that has been broken. Don’t reject God in your pain. </div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-76289134863906239122015-10-17T22:47:00.000-05:002015-10-17T22:49:54.578-05:00Leave No Page Unturned<div class="MsoNormal">
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Have
you ever started a book and not finished it?
So have I. I have finished many good books. Finishing a
book provides a sense of accomplishment.
But what if you got to the end of your life, but didn’t really finish
it? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Psalm
139:16 says,<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Your
eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And in
Your book they all were written,<o:p></o:p></div>
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The
days fashioned for me,<o:p></o:p></div>
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When as
yet there were none of them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s a
pretty awesome thought - God saw all your days before you did. He saw the good days and the bad days. He saw the moments of joy and the seasons of
heartache. He saw every hurt and every
happiness. <o:p></o:p></div>
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God
foresees, but I believe we have to walk into His purpose by faith. In other words, we don’t fulfill God’s plan
for our lives passively. We fulfill
God’s purpose by actively pursuing it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am
determined to finish my life. I don’t
want to leave anything undone that God has called me to do. I don’t want to leave a page unturned or not
read. I don’t want to miss out on
anything God has for me. I want my life
to count for eternity. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2011
I was in a missions trip in Honduras.
During one of our prayer times, my friend Daniel Harmsen gave me a
prophetic word. He said, “You’re a
writer and you turn pages. The Lord is
turning a new page in your life. The
page he’s turning is not a blank page.
It’s already scripted. You need
to let go of the past. All is new in
Christ. God is doing a new thing.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes
we go through seasons where we question God’s purpose. We’re may feel stuck, or feel like God is not
leading, or have no clear direction for the future. He may have us in a season of waiting like
Joseph in the dungeon; He is preparing us for greater things. But when God says move, it’s time to move
forward. God does have a clear direction. He has a definitive purpose. It is well-scripted. It may begin with a step of obedience, a step
into the unknown. But the story is good
if we will step out into it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A
little over a year after Daniel gave me that word God began to make some major
changes in my life (in November, 2012).
It began with a promotion, a marriage, and a move to a different
state. My story has not been easy, but
it has been good. I’m exciting about the
great things that God has in store for us in the future.<br />
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You can possess all that God has for you, but you must enter into it by faith. You may need to let go of some things from the past, but you can do it! As you seek Him, He will bring healing. He makes all things new in Christ. God wants to lead you into a new day in Him. Leave no page unturned! </div>
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Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-82306359875473759052015-09-26T00:16:00.003-05:002015-09-26T13:25:54.073-05:00The Violent Take it By Force<div class="MsoNormal">
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God has a door of hope that He wants us to walk through by faith. If we will walk by faith in the things He has spoken to us, we can possess all He has promised us. What has God promised you? Healing? Deliverance? Provision? Peace? Joy? All of God’s promises are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ Jesus (see II Corinthians 1:20). All the promises of the Word belong to us. What is the vision God has given you for the future? You can possess it, by faith. What battle are you facing today? You can overcome it, by faith!</div>
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Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). The pasture represents all of the blessings that are ours in Christ. The pasture is like the Promised Land. It is ours, but we must go in and possess it. We possess it by exercising our faith. Faith requires action. We have to declare our faith, speaking life.</div>
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Everything you need in this life is found in Jesus, the door. He promises life, abundant life! But there is also a thief, who comes to steal, kill and destroy (see John 10:10). Abundant life is not an unconditional promise. It is something we possess by faith.</div>
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Jesus has given us the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19). The keys represent authority in heaven and on earth. What great privilege God has given to us! Upon the revelation of Christ, Jesus is building his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Have you ever felt like the gates of hell have opened wide against you? Sometimes I feel like the hordes of Satan assail me with ferocious fury. But, Jesus says Satan will not prevail. Jesus has given me authority, both in heaven and upon earth, to walk in victory.</div>
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There is the ever-present reality of two kingdoms - the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of darkness. Darkness wants to secure a beach head in our souls, make camp, and continue to advance. Darkness wants to rule and reign in our personal lives, our families, our cities and our nations. The enemy’s kingdom is ruthless, deceitful and under-handed. Sometimes it seems unfair. But we can rule in the midst of our enemies (see Psalm 110:2). God will fight for us. But God wants us to take up our authority in Him. If we will do our part, God will do what we cannot do. </div>
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The nature of God’s kingdom is that it must be entered into. We must possess it by faith. II Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (emphasis mine). Jesus has provided everything we need through his life, death, and resurrection. We must walk in His blessing by faith.</div>
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Jesus said, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). This verse stirs me up. The kingdom of heaven is not for the faint of heart. In Luke 16:16, Jesus said it this way, “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” God is calling us to a radical commitment to His kingdom. </div>
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Did you sign up for this fight? Perhaps not! But you were drafted into God’s army when you accepted His request to become His child. Welcome to the fight. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. When we feel the kingdom of darkness trying to impose its way upon us, something ought to rise up inside of us. We have the power within us that is greater than he who is in this world (I John 4:4). You can do this, you can be victorious!</div>
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What is your fight? What enemies are coming against you? Rise up and take your place of authority. Fight for your family, your children, your marriage, your city. Stand at the doorway of your home and declare that Jesus Christ is Lord. In the words of Nehemiah, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (Nehemiah 4:14)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q-e3jQxFaec" width="560"></iframe></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-91382442269414551252015-08-28T15:48:00.001-05:002015-08-28T15:59:38.310-05:00He Loves You!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ab5yHp3JCss" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think this is one of the most important prayers in the Bible, that God would give us a Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we can know Him. God loves you so much and wants a real relationship with you. It is possible, you can know God and He can know you. You can be alive in His Spirit, know His love in your life, and be filled with the Hope of eternal life. God Bless!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fwf8qAkV-L_tgBaFNj1Q9CJYPuDvagaycuJKMeYfrQGoKn6MqLE0WqB87Rp3B8TTpAu6z4b1u5oQ3GS0hEmK4mZiBUuIYkxh2LWxWWm-RQWws_MdCJmI77vzHn9nY_5imlsJmtR_OBM/s1600/P1130099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fwf8qAkV-L_tgBaFNj1Q9CJYPuDvagaycuJKMeYfrQGoKn6MqLE0WqB87Rp3B8TTpAu6z4b1u5oQ3GS0hEmK4mZiBUuIYkxh2LWxWWm-RQWws_MdCJmI77vzHn9nY_5imlsJmtR_OBM/s320/P1130099.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Ephesians 1:15-19</span>Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-40112791897772345742015-08-21T10:03:00.001-05:002015-08-21T10:05:17.542-05:00Has the Message Changed You?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_SwSWq1qidul3hQneZFQpgGs4rhm8adyOA6YXH-buoMBSBe17e8BFHNjAJQx2b7631muf03OgAIvDzqmN-kH1wqIZQw1GlyPTxqhrEnJS9QKnJtytp1Cc5Jacdb7KTLaSWzPvU68Q78/s1600/The+Message.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_SwSWq1qidul3hQneZFQpgGs4rhm8adyOA6YXH-buoMBSBe17e8BFHNjAJQx2b7631muf03OgAIvDzqmN-kH1wqIZQw1GlyPTxqhrEnJS9QKnJtytp1Cc5Jacdb7KTLaSWzPvU68Q78/s320/The+Message.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“For many walk, of whom I have
told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose
glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our
citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed
to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to
subdue all things to Himself.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Philippians 3:18-21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As we
drove through the West Virginia countryside last week, I saw a sign in front of a
church that read, “We don’t change the message, the message changes us.” That prompted me to think of how many people
in our culture want to change God’s message by conforming it to their sinful
lifestyle. But Jesus didn’t die
so we could remain in our sins. He died
to free us from our sins, to free us from the power of sin. My question for you today is this: Has the message changed your life? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I grew
up in church. As a young boy, I was taught God’s word. And I had a wonderful
example of a praying mother. I’m
grateful for the foundation that was laid in my life. I believe it has carried me through some hard
times. In many ways, the message formed my character. Yet, I have still struggled with some things that have not been easy to
change. Sometimes the lack of change can be discouraging. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s
great when God changes us instantly. There was a time in my life, where sometimes I would get so down on myself that I would literally look
in the mirror and curse myself. One night
I was walking by my church in Texas, singing quietly. I wasn’t really focusing on the Lord, just
enjoying the peaceful evening. Suddenly
the Holy Spirit came upon me. I couldn’t get low enough to the ground. I was on my knees in the gravel, convicted by
the Spirit. In that moment, God made it clear to me
that I was not going to curse myself anymore.
I didn’t feel the least bit condemned.
I felt loved by God.
I walked away free, a changed person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A week
or two after my experience I felt that spirit, what I believe was a spirit of
self-hatred, try to come back into my life.
I recognized it immediately and stopped it. Since that day, I haven’t stood in front of the mirror and
cursed myself. Even though I still
get down on myself sometimes, I know God set me free. In His presence I was changed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There
are other things in our lives that do not change as quickly or easily. It is a process. But we can change. We are changed “from glory to glory.” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We change by beholding His glory.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">II
Corinthians 3:17-18 says, </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of
the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in
a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from
glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have a
tendency to focus on my problems.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I get
discouraged with my own lack of progress.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Or I feel like a failure because I want to change, but struggle to do
so.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, focusing on our problems is
not the answer.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Focusing on Jesus is the
answer.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are changed into His image by looking at Him. We become more like Him, when we fix our eyes on Him.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">By faith in Him, we can speak to the
mountains in our lives, and see them move!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Thank God, w</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e can be changed by the power of His Holy Spirit! Today, the message is still powerful. It still changes ordinary people. Has the message changed you?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I say to you, if you have faith
as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’
and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Matthew 17:20</span></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-82921664351169968952015-08-17T23:54:00.000-05:002015-08-18T13:53:17.201-05:00Fountains of Living Water<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's a short video we recorded during our recent backpacking trip in West Virginia:</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xc8jkdjHasE" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Revelation 7:9-17</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Be to our God forever and ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amen.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I said to him, “Sir, you know.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0339vuqzXKJ5tD1pYd5Vs6SlWhvtzPs9AOlt7OEVXyZ04cjSmPhRvCjk_q7gvr73Ju8n7sdk9Lc5_VkelDsEr8YWqLv9xhX9FpsIP55L5fNTza6cyb1nFYYv1SEPlo6wdT2TaYvhHgGk/s1600/IMG_2418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0339vuqzXKJ5tD1pYd5Vs6SlWhvtzPs9AOlt7OEVXyZ04cjSmPhRvCjk_q7gvr73Ju8n7sdk9Lc5_VkelDsEr8YWqLv9xhX9FpsIP55L5fNTza6cyb1nFYYv1SEPlo6wdT2TaYvhHgGk/s320/IMG_2418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-31694854605091280312015-07-17T18:19:00.000-05:002015-07-17T18:20:02.395-05:00Look Upward, Look Outward<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ojoc3f5dxk60GefyPX1FCgviBbH-Ug8kAfAc7CUV86En-jxC8Yi3FhJkAQO8qud21sXeXgd1ctzP1LYWGokQvsHPNax664myr4YxCM6LRU5l9dXj3Bb2oqFabu8BBCqMkmT7eZrNeWo/s1600/Harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Ojoc3f5dxk60GefyPX1FCgviBbH-Ug8kAfAc7CUV86En-jxC8Yi3FhJkAQO8qud21sXeXgd1ctzP1LYWGokQvsHPNax664myr4YxCM6LRU5l9dXj3Bb2oqFabu8BBCqMkmT7eZrNeWo/s320/Harvest.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Set your mind on
things above, not on things on the earth.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you
also will appear with Him in glory.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Colossians 3:2-4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe that this is not a time for the church to wallow
in negativity. We need to be positive! Though things around us may seem bad, I
believe that this is the church’s finest hour.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There’s so much going on in the world today that seems so
disturbing. Has it always been this
bad? Sometimes I wonder if it’s not so
much that the world is getting worse, but the fact that we know so much. At any moment, at our very fingertips, is a
plethora of information. We have 24-hour
news broadcasts. We have greater access
into each other’s lives via things like Facebook and Twitter. On one hand, we have access to a lot of cool
information and the world is more connected.
On the other hand, I wonder if we really have better and more quality relationships. And there’s a lot going on in the world that
sometimes I’d rather just not know about.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The prophet Daniel spoke of a future time when “many shall
run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:4) We are certainly living in those times. Despite our knowledge, I am inclined to
believe that things <i>are</i> getting worse. Speaking regarding the end of the age, Jesus said
that “lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew
24:12) He also said that “many will be
offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” (vs. 10) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But Jesus also said this:
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a
witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (vs. 14) This part gets me excited! No matter how bad things get, there’s going
to be some people who are burning bright for Jesus, filled with holy passion to
see God’s kingdom established on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think we need to really focus our eyes on God’s
kingdom. Our purpose is to experience
His presence and to expand His kingdom on earth. Our mission has not changed. No matter what is going on around us, the
Great Commission has not changed. God is
still a miracle-working God, a God of power who can do the impossible through
us. He can work miracles through your
life, through my life, and touch others with the power of His love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on things above, not on
things on the earth.” I am disturbed
just as much as you are regarding things going on in this world today. I don’t think God expects us to live in a
la-la dream world out of touch with the realities of what’s going on. We should be concerned and we should
pray. But our prayers and compassion
should move us to take positive action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my favorite verses is in Matthew 9. Verse 36 (NIV) says that when Jesus “saw the
crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus’ compassion
motivated him action, to touch hurting and broken humanity. “Then
he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask
the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” Look upward, my friends, our redemption is
drawing near. And look outward, my
friends, the fields are ripe for harvest.
May we all take our place and do our part. May our hearts burn with fire and passion for
Jesus! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i7lv9oMjv_0" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-33660549399208924142015-07-09T14:32:00.001-05:002015-07-09T14:35:06.236-05:00Holy, Dark Clouds of Thunder<div class="MsoNormal">
holy, dark clouds of thunder</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjfJVCcTXaQXzDtRh4Kg9Hb5bp4Sj1HA4BxfzQvpUT2hwhLkZ4Wa3ObY4j6ZMdYjLkrgInVENMDT_rdRv_cVV8DFrC23c0ZxTKx4mVLjUYZ8OqGfUeCg_cobbveN3scCNAU4ARfW-S8E/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjfJVCcTXaQXzDtRh4Kg9Hb5bp4Sj1HA4BxfzQvpUT2hwhLkZ4Wa3ObY4j6ZMdYjLkrgInVENMDT_rdRv_cVV8DFrC23c0ZxTKx4mVLjUYZ8OqGfUeCg_cobbveN3scCNAU4ARfW-S8E/s320/Picture1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
between the billowing smoke and the fire<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
is the gap between you and me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
though I long for You, I cannot see Your face<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
still, You write Your words upon my heart<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and I can hear Your song<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
as it reverberates through my soul<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sing into the darkness<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
crying out, that I may know You, that I may see Your face<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
that I may feel Your touch <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
O Lord, would You hear me?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
would you know me?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
show me, show me, show me Your face<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
holy, dark clouds of thunder<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You live in unapproachable light<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
beyond the gray, behind the veil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the journey from me to You is one of faith<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
O how You hide Yourself from me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I search the city streets<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I search the forest deep<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I scower every corner, every recess of my heart<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
hoping that I might find You<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
praying that somewhere I might see You<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I search the mountain high<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
examine every stream<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
to find a glimpse of You<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
because I can see You hidden in everything<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
why do You hide Yourself from me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
when I long to see You face to face?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
holy, dark clouds of thunder<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your breath is like lightning<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your arms are like a vapor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your face is a storm<o:p></o:p></div>
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but I will push through the rain to behold You<o:p></o:p></div>
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I will push through the night to see Your face<o:p></o:p></div>
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I will stand on the precipice and cry out<o:p></o:p></div>
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now, show me Your glory<o:p></o:p></div>
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may You and all Your goodness pass before my eyes<o:p></o:p></div>
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I will not proceed without Your presence<o:p></o:p></div>
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for Your presence is the day for me <o:p></o:p></div>
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the darkness is light to You<o:p></o:p></div>
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and the night is bright as day<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-75534020238750617232015-07-04T23:40:00.000-05:002015-07-04T23:40:32.506-05:00Dance With Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm3yifdFT8H_CV8LMCqpRrTxCYQgxU-b0lHZJa4wabNEGGI1Yawby21VzmAWn0OeFOIDmZiUyUwN3gXaUnAINBY8xoo1jCEvB7lqFlkcepMTQnfpPtZfotckqXlx6kgGOg2hy6o0Eh08/s1600/Oct+2013+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm3yifdFT8H_CV8LMCqpRrTxCYQgxU-b0lHZJa4wabNEGGI1Yawby21VzmAWn0OeFOIDmZiUyUwN3gXaUnAINBY8xoo1jCEvB7lqFlkcepMTQnfpPtZfotckqXlx6kgGOg2hy6o0Eh08/s320/Oct+2013+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">dance with me and my broken heart</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">with the wind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">you make all things new<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">from your box of treasures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">you open up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">the perfect heart for me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">dance with me and my aching spirit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">with the wind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">you weep with me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">from your love so pure and sweet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">you give<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">a brand new heart to me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">dance with me and my wounded soul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">with the wind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">you father me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">in your swaying embrace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">you whisper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">you impart</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">the perfect heart to me</span></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-1269844635589704832015-07-04T23:35:00.001-05:002015-07-04T23:36:12.870-05:00Beautiful Array<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">She’s waiting for her moment to arrive</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyokCGnHtU8BtvV3JeyLNvpGcPkqDJH866mcp0mqPGfxbQrnZJL36F7C-mHSC_OQ8fN38HsYTZEKLKw2vUe905Dyq1SRz3b2CqllkSgRdkZQUN9j4G6SO78wrOA4qEIALCDlozsY64aU/s1600/P1110390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyokCGnHtU8BtvV3JeyLNvpGcPkqDJH866mcp0mqPGfxbQrnZJL36F7C-mHSC_OQ8fN38HsYTZEKLKw2vUe905Dyq1SRz3b2CqllkSgRdkZQUN9j4G6SO78wrOA4qEIALCDlozsY64aU/s1600/P1110390.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">She’s praying to break through to the sky</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">To soar in that place</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Where the world and all the devils of hell</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Cannot damper the radiance that ignites the world around her</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">She is dancing</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the wondrous, glorious wonder of Father</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Like the stars she shines</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Fragrance arises from all that once was suffering</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beauty comes alive</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">like flowers blooming from that which once was a field of ashes</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">She is clothed in a garment, the applause of heaven</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And the alabaster jar is broken at his feet</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In that place where she weeps</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Love beats, pulsates, like the deep pumping of the heart</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And from the depths of her brokenness</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The healing balm of Gilead flows</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">All that oozes from her is like perfume</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The scent of heaven</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">She lights up the world and the sky in beautiful array</span></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-81114738451511251172015-06-27T00:19:00.000-05:002015-06-27T11:13:58.448-05:00Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFLYQYIPVtnJLptmV8I5RMAAMEw4ukGKlTfUcNVOm7f_T-FRNU_2wOkOSgERHBGn6dk6osy4c1ivdHvufpSgPN_7g5w-JW_HOsUniOajeSKGR36QNYeZeESsZJxrnCjjIrIsslUU1kMA/s1600/Pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFLYQYIPVtnJLptmV8I5RMAAMEw4ukGKlTfUcNVOm7f_T-FRNU_2wOkOSgERHBGn6dk6osy4c1ivdHvufpSgPN_7g5w-JW_HOsUniOajeSKGR36QNYeZeESsZJxrnCjjIrIsslUU1kMA/s320/Pic.JPG" width="240" /></a>This post will perhaps not be typical, but more of a
pondering of some thoughts.
But I’ll try to frame this in a way that I hope will be encouraging for
you. Perhaps challenging as well. Tonight, as Leslie and I were talking while eating dessert at
a frozen yogurt place, the Scripture in Hebrews 11 came up:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises… And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” (vs. 13, 39-40)<br />
<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">There are some things that I truly
believe God has called me to do, but I have not yet walked fully into that calling. These things I want to do. I want to accomplish something significant
for God’s kingdom. I want my life to
count for eternity. When I get to
heaven, I want to receive a great reward. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
One of the things I believe God has
called Leslie and I to do is to preach the gospel in other countries. That is a big desire of mine, a dream I
believe is from God. I want to see God
move through our lives in power and compassion.
But what if it never happens?
What if I never preach in another country again in my lifetime? What if Jesus comes back before the dream is fulfilled? In fact, what if my
reward in heaven is not tied to the fulfillment of that purpose? What if my reward in heaven has nothing to do
with how many people I lead to Jesus or how many sermons I preach? What if my reward is tied to how well my life
is a reflection of the character of Christ?
What if my reward is tied to how well I love my wife? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
In this season of my life, I'm focused mostly on getting through law school, building our
marriage, and, I hope, on spending time with the Lord. In addition, since I'm not taking classes this summer and I have to work only 20 hours a week, I have time to
enjoy some other things. I'm able to do things perhaps I’d not be able to do if I were working
full time or taking classes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
In Texas, prior to moving to
Virginia, I was working full time, commuting in Dallas traffic, and I was
involved at church. We miss Texas and our
friends there. Sometimes I feel a little
lonely. I miss being involved at our
church. I especially miss singing in the
choir and on the worship team. I think serving
at church helped me feel like I was doing something for the Lord. It was part of my identity. At our church I felt like I was part of
something significant for God’s kingdom.
That said, I’m thankful for this new season, despite its
challenges. I’m thankful this summer has
given me a chance to slow down. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
In Luke 10 Jesus said, <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
“Behold, I give you the authority to
trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and
nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless
do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather <i>rejoice because your names are written in
heaven</i>.” (vs. 19-20, <i>emphasis mine</i>).
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Tonight I feel a contentment in my spirit. My identity is not tied to what I’m
accomplishing for the Lord. My identity
is in Him, in my relationship with Him.
My identity is in knowing that He loves me and that I love Him. It feels good to feel loved. Things in life are not easy; sometimes they
are very difficult, very challenging.
But, tonight… tonight I feel good.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
Please don’t get me wrong. I believe God wants us to do great things for
Him. I believe that God has specific
things for us to accomplish (see Ephesians 2:10). God wants us to serve others and love our
neighbors. He is very concerned about
the harvest. He says, “The harvest truly
is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore
pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matt
9:38-39) I want to be part of His
end-time harvest! We all have an
important part to play in it. But at the
end of the day, God wants us to be faithful where He has placed us right now,
wherever that may be – whether it’s working in Dallas, in Virginia at law
school, or in Africa preaching the gospel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
I think the most important thing
in life is to spend time with the Lord, in His presence. When we set our hearts towards loving Him,
knowing Him, and seeking Him, He sets everything else in our lives in the right
place. We get our marching orders from
Him. When He says “Go,” we go. And sometimes He says “stay,” and so we stay
and rest in Him. Even if we never
accomplish for God what we may think is something significant, we can rejoice
in the most important thing – that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of
Life. Our eternity is secure. That’s a great place to be.<br />
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">We can look forward to the day
when we’ll hear Him say those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you
were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter
into the joy of your lord.” (Matt. 25:21). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-25458502120986921272015-06-19T15:07:00.002-05:002015-06-19T15:16:35.034-05:00Perfect Love<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DQmuBIro9-I" width="560"></iframe><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC19efXsnuxLzUFg_1MxKHKAHaR5O5DUUMInRMznrcPqlmuRYRdtY9_c6vM45QZiLbVGAwvpfDjmA7PAZARs-OYR_2M-JO85DmNvU4VkYcE5l48qFTf1Xvjm3aG78KNzFWmMVGhzLhC8/s1600/P1120975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC19efXsnuxLzUFg_1MxKHKAHaR5O5DUUMInRMznrcPqlmuRYRdtY9_c6vM45QZiLbVGAwvpfDjmA7PAZARs-OYR_2M-JO85DmNvU4VkYcE5l48qFTf1Xvjm3aG78KNzFWmMVGhzLhC8/s200/P1120975.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">been made perfect in love."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-I John 4:18</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-27439675690253671402015-06-13T15:46:00.002-05:002015-06-13T15:46:50.358-05:00Journey of Faith<div .25in="" 20.15pt="" align="center" center="" class="MsoNormal" margin-right:="" text-align:="" text-indent:="">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6VsNf7T89_BkffSYkDoGUhzGQW23GGiH7tCkfhSSptnn5SHz67EUbbZ1xE8CQz3aHwOrMeSP8ksow39U4c56h1av3UDHqUrzqr8i-olpw3kppBt9bAUVFlxkOjywnH-4bHFTLC4qX84/s1600/P1050793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6VsNf7T89_BkffSYkDoGUhzGQW23GGiH7tCkfhSSptnn5SHz67EUbbZ1xE8CQz3aHwOrMeSP8ksow39U4c56h1av3UDHqUrzqr8i-olpw3kppBt9bAUVFlxkOjywnH-4bHFTLC4qX84/s320/P1050793.JPG" width="320" /></a><i><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Now faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div .25in="" 20.15pt="" align="center" center="" class="MsoNormal" margin-right:="" text-align:="" text-indent:="">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hebrews 1:1<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div 20.15pt="" align="center" center="" class="MsoNormal" margin-right:="" text-align:="">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2000, I was living in Michigan and earnestly seeking
God’s direction for my life. At church
one Sunday night I uttered a prayer of exasperation. “God, if you’ve called me to the city then
give me a city.” I did not expect my
prayer would be answered so quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next Saturday evening, during
worship practice, my Pastor prayed, “Lord, speak to us in our dreams tonight.” At the moment I didn’t realize the
significance of his prayer. But that
night I dreamed I was driving around a city with my best friend. For some reason we didn’t know what city we were
in. The people we asked wouldn’t tell
us. Suddenly a voice from the sky said clearly,
“Dallas, Texas.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next morning I awoke with an
excitement inside of me. I opened my
Road Atlas and looked for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dallas</st1:place></st1:city>. After praying about it, talking with my
parents, and visiting <st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state> for a week, I knew
<st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state> was
where God wanted me to be. By August of
the same year I was living in Dallas, attending Christ for the Nations
Institute. It was a step of faith for
me, and also a beginning, of sorts, of a journey of faith I’ve been walking now
for the approximately 15 years since then.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 3.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hebrews 11:8 (the “Faith” chapter)
says, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 3.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 17.0pt; margin-right: 16.0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to
the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not
knowing where he was going.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abraham simply heard God and obeyed Him. In some ways, hearing from God and stepping
out in faith on His Word is the easy part.
The hard part is enduring through the trials, setbacks and disappointments
which will inevitably occur on the journey.
However, if we don’t first respond to God’s call, we won’t know the
opportunities to grow in character that come when His word tests us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Scripture says Abraham, <i>“went out, not knowing where he was going.”</i> That comforts me. Sometimes I don’t feel like I know where I am
going. Sometimes I feel like a man in
the dark attempting to follow the invisible hand of God. Sometimes I feel like I’m just along for the
ride. God is in the driver seat, and
He’s only telling me what I need to know (but not everything I’d like to
know). Sometimes it’s a strange feeling,
knowing I’m not in control, but often I want to feel like I have a firm grip on
things. Can you relate with that?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With His word as a foundation, and
the voice of His Spirit as a guide, we keep moving forward step by step into
His purpose for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God doesn’t show us all of His
purpose at once. That’s part of the incredible,
exciting adventure of following God. He
leads us step by step in a quest of faith.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still, at times this journey of faith
can be unnerving. Divine moments of
destiny may be preceded by a season of searching and suffering. And waiting and wondering. We may feel like crying out, “Would somebody
please let me know what’s going on here?!”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the mean time, much of life is
spent in the seeming triviality of the mundane.
We simply maintain. Thankfully,
our calling is much more significant than the mundane. But real faith is gutted out in the
trenches. Even the mundane can be saturated
by His glorious presence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the seasons of waiting God is
building His character in our lives.
Waiting on God in the school of character can be hard. It’s only natural to want to spread your
wings and soar into what you know God has called you to do. However, the time of preparation is of vital
importance. The journey can seem
long. It will try your soul. You’ll be tempted to quit. It’s easy to become weary, impatient,
frustrated, even discouraged. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, I’ve found that God injects
into our seasons of waiting sovereign visitations of His Spirit. I’ve had some divine encounters with God that
have marked my life forever. These
experiences have helped me to carry on during the dry seasons, when it seems
like nothing is happening.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-font-width: 102%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God’s promises carry within them His character
and the substance of His life. The
moment we receive a promise we possess it by faith. However, in the realm of the natural it may
take some time for the fullness of the promise to be realized. That does not make the promise less real. God has a perfect time for all things. Our times are in His hands. (Psalm
31:15) While we wait we can judge Him
faithful who has promised. (see Heb. 11:11) </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-59859355805335199942015-05-29T23:39:00.000-05:002015-05-29T23:48:18.704-05:00Suffering<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBIMwKpeJIhhxfC8748gcZtXL9wAESzbvV_oSvWRWxmuyiUh22k7AGwWnxjQik-j6SB7i2RqGqHVuBKp8CSSM4h31RnaBT40O1L79mQbhCE9GoV_8PYNpfXLHZhUUiVVB-_QvkrNjfr0/s1600/Blog+Suffering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBIMwKpeJIhhxfC8748gcZtXL9wAESzbvV_oSvWRWxmuyiUh22k7AGwWnxjQik-j6SB7i2RqGqHVuBKp8CSSM4h31RnaBT40O1L79mQbhCE9GoV_8PYNpfXLHZhUUiVVB-_QvkrNjfr0/s320/Blog+Suffering.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“For it was fitting
for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many
sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through
sufferings.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not too long ago a lady that I went on several mission trips
with died. She was such a wonderful person. She loved Jesus and was on fire for the Lord. And she was always so nice to me. I considered her my friend. Her death was hard to understand. Why would God take someone that seemed to be
so effective for His kingdom here on earth?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my dream last night my friend
was with a few other women. One of the
women, I believe, stated that my friend could be healed. But I stepped forward and said something like
this: “No, sometimes God allows us to go
through a special suffering to reveal Christ in our lives.” As I was about to walk away I said to my
friend, “The only thing that matters is Jesus!”
I said it so loud that I think I surprised myself and embarrassed myself
a little. Then I woke up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Scripture says that there is a
suffering that is according to the will of God (I Peter 4:19). “Therefore let those who suffer according to
the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful
Creator.” The Scripture says, “…rejoice
to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is
revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (vs. 12, 13) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why does God allow us to go
through suffering? God’s purpose is to
perfect His children through suffering.
Not a fun topic, I know. Not a
topic to jump up and down about. But God
reveals Himself through our suffering.
God is forming Christ within us.
He is making us more like Jesus. When
we press up against the cross, embracing the death that Jesus died, we are
truly in a place where we can become like Christ. But the story does not end here. “Now if we are children, then we are
heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his
sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17). After Jesus’ suffering came a resurrection! God’s purpose is not that we suffer on and
on, forever and ever. His purpose is
that we also experience His resurrection life.
Things that need to change in our lives can be changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe in divine healing. I believe with all my heart that God can,
does, and will heal. But I also believe
that sometimes God calls us to through things that are difficult. This difficulty could come in the form of
persecution. It could also come in the
form of some other difficulty. He does
not always remove our problems. We
cannot pray away every problem. If we
suffer according to God’s will we need to submit ourselves to our Faithful
Creator and realize that God has a purpose in it (see I Peter 4:19). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last night, after going back to
sleep, I dreamt more. When I woke up
again the song was in my heart, “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us.” Beloved, God loves you. The suffering you may be enduring is not a
sign of rejection. It may, in fact, be a
sign of God’s approval on your life. You
are His child, His son or His daughter.
He is at work in you, forming you into the man or woman of God He wants
you to be. You may not see the progress
you are making, but you are getting stronger!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But may the God of
all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have
suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” – I Peter
5:10</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dLDGVl8D5UU" width="420"></iframe></span></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-86094343457231598872015-05-25T22:13:00.001-05:002015-05-25T22:41:06.046-05:00Spirit and Truth - Video<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leslie and I recording some short devotional videos during our trip to Shenandoah National Park. The video below is about 2 1/2 minutes. Hope you enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jesus said, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>- John 4:23-24</b></span></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OyJEqKqspow" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-28847925999981309482015-05-11T23:18:00.001-05:002015-05-11T23:21:21.663-05:00The Adventure of Living for God<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecP_LC4nbcccRVIiDyqX7fJJlfGvkX_U55ynd4ImCEIvtpbKv_7Mu7iegDJ2efmIGxpkFzEIUyfzbNMSTqoM_7RJsR0nXbVu0O-48mJEVkJHdnk0IPG-l4dTsv0-KHpOD8cnwRqC5Igg/s1600/DestinWave.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecP_LC4nbcccRVIiDyqX7fJJlfGvkX_U55ynd4ImCEIvtpbKv_7Mu7iegDJ2efmIGxpkFzEIUyfzbNMSTqoM_7RJsR0nXbVu0O-48mJEVkJHdnk0IPG-l4dTsv0-KHpOD8cnwRqC5Igg/s320/DestinWave.BMP" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Romans 8:14<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DWfwMujaqd7_fjKkNpQf-zMDpyYTvCIipyuinp-rwF_8sjwDzlq3QU86WpFjRh9vbmmuQYkTgk9x29kXPRKuZX6OJp3YTyDwyu1uQqeAl3mB7_2Mevstclovo08iJftClOPSWhLpugQ/s1600/DestinWave.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Living for God is an exciting adventure! When Jesus called his disciples to follow
him, they probably didn’t realize all they were getting themselves into. At the end of their lives I doubt any of them
said, “That was boring.” They saw Jesus
perform incredible miracles, walk on water, heal the sick, cast out demons,
raise the dead, frustrate the religious establishment, and teach with great
authority. They were challenged,
instructed, rebuked and inspired. In the
end, they changed the world. For sure, it
was a great adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following Christ can be wonderful
and challenging, and at times difficult and painful, but never boring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several years ago a friend and I
went on a trip to Florida. I was looking
forward to a nice vacation. Most of my
thoughts were not on doing the work of the Lord, but my friend was focused on
being an evangelist. Before leaving, a
couple different people said something to me about our trip plans or prayed for
me. There was something about what they
prayed or said that made me feel like God was up to something, something more
than us just having a fun vacation. I
had a sense in my spirit that God wanted to do something. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the fourth day of the trip we arrived
in Hollywood, Florida, in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area. We visited the apartment where my friend had lived
a few years prior. A girl named Shay was
living in his old apartment. For about 1
½ hours we sat by the pool and talked with her about the Lord. I say “we,” but, really, I didn’t do much
talking, if any at all. I sat quietly
while my friend talked with her. As we
got up to leave I felt God wanted me to say something to her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn’t sure if this “word” was
from God or not. But I felt like I had
to say it, so I did. The Lord told me
that she had been abused by a man and that God wanted to heal her heart and be
a father to her. It was actually pretty
simple. God said it was a “man,” and I
assumed it was her father, but she said it had actually been her uncle. As I shared the “word” with her, it was
obvious that the Lord was genuinely touching her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;">After talking with her we visited
another apartment where a man named Tony lived.
He had recently suffered a stroke.
We felt led to pray for his healing.
As we prayed I felt the Holy Spirit rise up in me in a strong way. It was so strong, I couldn’t stay in the
apartment. I went out into the street
and began to pray loudly, interceding over the apartment complex and declaring
salvation to the city. I’d never had an
experience like this before, to this intensity.
My hands and arms seemed to be full of electricity. God’s anointing was all over me. I knew there had to be people around who
could hear me, but I could not hold back.
I felt fear, but, at the same time, I felt the power of God rising up
strong inside of me. It was an awesome
moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;">The trip to Florida was a learning
experience for me. God got me out of my
comfort zone. He showed me that He
wanted to do great things through me despite how I sometimes felt about myself. He gave me greater confidence in being led by
Him; that I </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;">can</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;"> be led by Him. I </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;">can</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;">
do great things for the Lord! He </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;">can</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;"> speak through me and use my prayers
to bring change in the heavenly realms. Despite
my times of discouragement, my struggles with sin, my battles with the enemy,
and all the times I feel like I fail, God still wanted to use me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;">After our experience in Hollywood
we drove to the Florida Keys and set up our tent at a state park. The next day we took a sailboat ride and went
snorkeling miles out in the Atlantic Ocean by a coral reef. The next morning, my friend and I both
remember waking up feeling this amazing supernatural peace over us. It was like the bottom of our tent was a pool
of peace. God seemed to be saying to us,
“You did what I brought you here to do, you obeyed me, I’m pleased with you,
now have fun and enjoy my peace.” We felt
God’s pleasure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;">Serving God can be a lot of fun,
an exciting adventure! I believe very
strongly in being led by the Spirit.
This doesn’t mean that we need to get a word from God regarding what we
should wear every morning, what to make for dinner, or what gas station we
should stop at when we need gas. It
means being open to the leading of His Spirit every day, sensitive to His
voice. Every day is not a Florida
adventure. Sometimes we simply need to
hear from Him for strength to carry on through the day. He is always with us and He speaks to His
children. You </span><u style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;">can</u><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 17.1pt;"> be led by God’s
Spirit. You can hear His voice. Take a leap of faith and watch God lead you
on a great adventure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 17.1pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-14038201444387120502015-04-07T21:49:00.002-05:002015-04-07T21:53:47.166-05:00To Be With Him<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZX-VAUeRAATtt7slthjyT9brj4phyphenhyphenKCOdqtfDoLfdxIUQtvbX3qiBV7qI0IeqQ1wb8o1uJ72LFaL5AqNcJS3z4AQ3EcTHxZu_JKhDLAGzZVFVaBPR92Ggug_DvoNGWiqb_JyK9QTPkw/s1600/To+Be+With+Him+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZX-VAUeRAATtt7slthjyT9brj4phyphenhyphenKCOdqtfDoLfdxIUQtvbX3qiBV7qI0IeqQ1wb8o1uJ72LFaL5AqNcJS3z4AQ3EcTHxZu_JKhDLAGzZVFVaBPR92Ggug_DvoNGWiqb_JyK9QTPkw/s1600/To+Be+With+Him+Pic.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Then He appointed
twelve,that they might <i>be with Him</i>
and that He might send them out to preach...” – Mark 3:14 (<i>emphasis mine</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first priority of the
Christian is “to be with Him.” In Acts Chapter 4, Peter and John were recognized
as men who “had been with Jesus.” (vs. 13)
I hope people can say that of my life. Here is a man that walks with Jesus. When we spend time with the Lord it shows. When I spend time with the Lord, I can sense
His Love, His peace, His Spirit flowing more freely in my life. That doesn’t
mean I’m perfect, or that I don’t still get frustrated or angry sometimes,
struggle with temptation, get discouraged, or say things I shouldn’t say. Nevertheless
I can sense God’s Spirit in my life, and I hope others can see Jesus through me
too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think it is important to spend
quality time with the Lord. Some people may talk to the Lord as they go through
the day or as they commute to work. Of course, that is great! I don’t want to
take away from that. God certainly speaks to us as we go through out our day. We can
worship Him at all times and in every place. Yet, I also think that quality
time alone with the Lord is important. We need time alone with Him (or as alone
as is possible), in a room, or perhaps in the living room, in worship, in the
Word, and seeking His face. I know that often the busyness of life threatens
our ability to seek the Lord. Sometimes it’s a challenge for me to make time
with the Lord a priority, and we don’t have kids yet!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Perhaps the greatest impact on my
life, as a child, was seeing my mom worshiping and seeking the Lord in our
house. It was common to hear her seeking God. She was not quiet about it. I
believe mom’s relationship with God impacted me profoundly. She was a woman who
was hungry for God. She also had some intense struggles in life, and I think
she was often crying out to God for help. But I believe I grew up knowing God's presence because mom prayed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to challenge you (and myself) to spend more
time with God, to “be with Him.” Maybe it’s getting up 15 minutes early with
coffee and your Bible at the breakfast table. Or maybe it’s an hour in the
morning or evening, seeking Him. Prayer is life-changing. God is powerful in us
when we pray. He changes us, and gives us His power to change the world. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5793871261840234511.post-77338876134924779612015-03-25T16:34:00.000-05:002015-03-25T16:35:16.753-05:00Come Forth!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvHSHmqcqTrOkuSg-nGm6KVMAX6riou44h0WfPmuEKV8iPC33N1ZYIA6UIUBDSdPfFmghajSz5fFloJAlHjy3MNmhbf_onrfs7OFqLfg4FXzkB4asbBbr7ppMOyXnHGk3xWOYCpJfcgs/s1600/Freedom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvHSHmqcqTrOkuSg-nGm6KVMAX6riou44h0WfPmuEKV8iPC33N1ZYIA6UIUBDSdPfFmghajSz5fFloJAlHjy3MNmhbf_onrfs7OFqLfg4FXzkB4asbBbr7ppMOyXnHGk3xWOYCpJfcgs/s1600/Freedom+2.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever felt like you were wrapped up in grave clothes,
unable to break free? You’ve walked a hard,
disappointing path. The life has left
your body; your spirit feels crushed.
You get up and do what you need to do, but without energy. Today Jesus wants to breathe His life into
you. He says, “It’s time to come forth!” It’s time lay aside the grave clothes of doubt,
discouragement and despair, and come alive.
It’s time to be free from the bondage that has held you captive for so
long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The enemy has wrapped his grave clothes around you. Negative thoughts swirl around your mind. You feel suffocated by a demonic cloud of
confusion. You feel stuck inside yourself,
banging on the outer wall of your own soul, but unable to break free. These wounds may be rooted in your childhood,
no fault of your own. You feel trapped,
but you can be free! God has not called
you to remain in this tomb. It is for freedom
that He sets you free! (Gal. 5:1) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In John Chapter 11, Jesus knew that Lazarus, the one he
loved, was sick. He had within His power
to go to him and immediately heal him. But
he chose instead to wait. His reason? So He would be glorified. When Jesus finally arrived Lazarus had been
in the tomb for four days. “Lord,”
Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
(vs. 21) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes it seems that God waits and delays. We pray, fast, cry out to Him. We live in expectation of His
deliverance. We persist, longing for the
freedom we know that He offers. Yet, the
enemy seems all the more persistent in keeping us in our grave clothes. Lord, if you would just do something, I
wouldn’t be stuck here. But Jesus says, “I
am the resurrection and the life.” (vs.
25) Jesus weeps over our condition. He is moved with compassion. He steps up to our tomb. He says, “Take away the stone.” (vs. 39)
Yes, the odor of our condition is bad.
But Jesus says, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see
the glory of God?” (vs. 40)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus,
come out!’ The dead man came out, his
hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave
clothes and let him go.’” (vs. 43-44)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know that the journey towards freedom can be
difficult. The struggle towards freedom can
seem unending, but it is not impossible.
Often it is a process of walking with God and trusting Him. Sometimes freedom is hard-won, but victory is
yours! You can be free. You can be whole. You can be delivered. Reach out to God today and believe that His
glory will be revealed in your life. It’s
time to come forth! </span> <o:p></o:p></div>
Jon Greighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13035433485059149015noreply@blogger.com0