tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36768622686687673372024-03-14T08:42:33.778+00:00FLOURISHthe righteous shall flourish like a palm treeflourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-14804520234328195152019-07-01T20:33:00.003+01:002019-07-01T20:33:58.472+01:00Learning from John the Beloved Apostle John was the youngest of the disciples of Jesus and initially believed to be a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1: 35) but when Baptizer pointed Jesus to him, he followed Jesus (John 1:37). He was not so dogmatic that he could not afford to change course when the need arose. Jesus once referred to him and his brother as the “sons of thunder” (Mark 1:37). and indeed they actually asked Jesus for permission to call down fire on perceived enemies but were sharply rebuked (Luke 9:54).<br />
But over the years as he walked with Jesus, his character changed and the rough edges were smoothened and he became known as the “Beloved disciple” referring to love more than any of the gospel writers and so there is hope for us. He indeed had a revelation of the pre-incarnate Jesus, love and eternal life (John 1:1-3) and taught eventually that a life that claims to love God must love men (1 John 4:21).<br />
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At the foot of the cross, his devotion and love for Jesus were unshakable and Jesus committed his mother into his care(John 19:26-27). Even after the death of Jesus, in the midst of confusion when he and the other disciples were in a backslidden state and had returned to fishing one night, he was the first to recognize Jesus(John 21:7).<br />
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However, church history tells us he was banished to the island of Patmos during the persecutions under Emperor Domitian. This disciple who Jesus so loved must have prayed but it pleased God to send him to the island of Patmos (Rev1:9) and there away from Brethren, he still worships and receives instructions and revelations (Rev 1:10).<br />
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Have you prayed for a trial or a thorn or imprisonment and it seems that God is not answering? <strong>As God, it is his prerogative to answer as he chooses</strong>. He has the power to deliver and when he doesn’t do as we desire, he has greater plans to walk us through it (Isaiah 43:2). Beyond walking by faith, the writer of Hebrews mentions those that there were also some who walked through faith(Heb 11:35-39<strong><em>).</em></strong><br />
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<strong><em> <span style="color: blue;">During times of testing and hardship, it is not usually the power of God that is called to disrepute but his character. A seed of doubt of his love left uprooted can grow quickly and turn our hearts cold but the Cross answers any questions of his love ( Romans 8:32).</span></em></strong></blockquote>
<strong><em><br /></em></strong>Glory came out of the life of John although banished to an island Every circumstance of our lives can be used by God and made to profit us eventually (Rom 8:28) and it is ok not to fully understand (Isa 55;8-9). We may not all have such a dramatic hardship like some of these disciples but with our ordinary everyday challenges, God is seeking to make us more like Jesus and cooperating with him through his spirit is what we are called to do as children (Romans 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18).<br />
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I trust you have been encouraged with this little piece<br />
Grace<br />
<br />flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-4603475439657392722018-06-17T14:16:00.002+01:002018-09-14T21:22:31.616+01:00The Perfect Father :the father of Mercies <br />
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<b>"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,</b>”- 2 Corinthians 1:3<br />
<b>"I will be a Father to you,and you shall be my sons and daughter says the Lord Almighty."</b>2 Corinthians 6:18 New King James Version <br />
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I sometimes babysit a five year old girl whose parents are divorced. She is quite chatty and so recently, I enquired about her day at her mother’s place. She informed me that her mother’s car broke down and her father had driven down to give her mum a lift. Now I know most divorced people do not act like that so I commented on how nice her father is. Her response was quite intriguing. She said<i> “yes I know and I have asked him if I can marry him when I am older”</i>. I laughed and explained to her that she would need to find another man with the good qualities her dad had. <br />
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Everyone of us can relate to the mercy that father showed to his former partner. According to Oxford dictionary, it is a disposition to be kind and forgiving, compassionate or simply put, it means not getting what we deserve. Mercy is such an integral quality of God that the first time He reveals his glory to a man, Moses “as he passed…..he shouted…..the Lord, the Lord God <b>merciful</b> and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6).The first characteristic mentioned of God here is that he is merciful. Jeremiah also says about this mercies that they are manufactured new every morning and that his mercy stops us from being destroyed (Lamentations 3:23). The mercy of God also leads to forgiveness of sins (Psalms 51:5), deliverance from death (Psalms 9:13), restoration (Jeremiah 42:12), direction (Isaiah 49:10), healing (Psalms 6:2), answers to prayer (Psalms 4:1) to mention a few.<br />
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In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he gives a beautiful description of God. He called him the “father of mercies”. When we say father, we usually mean the originator or the source. This means that all the acts or forms of mercy I have ever received or will ever receive have ultimately come from him .I do not know about you but I have come to the conclusion that I cannot go a day without mercy, hence this father’s day meets me with a new sense of gratitude and obligation. If our father is the father of mercies, then as his children we should also show mercy. In short God requires us to show mercy (Micah 6:8, Matthew 23:23) and showing mercy qualifies us to be recipients of mercy (Matthew 5:7)</div>
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Perhaps your own memories of your father are far from favourable .He may have been absent, too stern or worse still, abusive and Father’s day celebration brings memories you would prefer not to revisit. But this Father’s day, regardless of how our “earthly fathers” or “father figures” may have acted, I implore us to choose to celebrate a father who is the “Father of mercies” and the source of our sustenance.<br />
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Happy Father's Day.</div>
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Grace Tom-Lawyer</div>
flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-84265468172029941442018-06-08T20:42:00.002+01:002018-06-08T20:42:57.755+01:00Starting again soon flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-10483954590674317052017-06-02T19:28:00.001+01:002017-06-04T18:29:42.514+01:00Lessons from Balak (Feasting at the Table edition)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Numbers
22:15-17 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:15-17&version=WEB"><span style="color: blue; margin: 0px;">WEB</span></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #444444;">They came to Balaam, and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of
Zippor, ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:16-18&version=KJ21"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #444444;">KJ21</span></span></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #444444;">for I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever
thou sayest unto me. Come therefore, I pray thee, curse for me this people.’”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:16-18&version=CJB"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #444444;">CJB</span></span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #444444;">I will reward you very well, and whatever you say to me I will do. So
please come, and curse this people for me.’”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:16-18&version=TLB"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #444444;">TLB</span></span></a></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #444444;">They came to Balaam with this
message: “King Balak pleads with you to come. He promises you great honors plus
any payment you ask. Name your own figure! Only come and curse these people for
us.”</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Balak sent more honourable and prestigious men to Balaam and also promised Balaam
promotion but it is only God that can truly<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>promote us (Psalms 75:6). Rather than the fee of divination which he
sent the first time, Balak asks Balaam to name his price. He refused to take no for an answer.As a king , he may have encountered so many religious people and his experience might be that everyman had a price .He may have also thought to himself that Balaam said No because the price was not right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">We see the persistence of the enemy and sometimes we could learn from
this to just keep on keeping on. It was persistence that made the man who came
tio his friend at night that his friend got up to ask for bread or the widow
who went to see the unjust judge . this woman kept persisting till the unjust
judge decided to give the woman justice so that he is no more disturbed</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">But why was Balak so persistent? It was because he knew that this was a
battle he needed to win ,that the stakes were very high , hence he could
swallow his pride, repackage himself more for what he really wanted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Is it possible <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>that we are not
really getting what we want because we have failed to persist long enough,
Unlike Balak, are we really ready to revamp, to put in more energy to that goal
that seems further away from us, Balak did more for him to get what he wanted, he
persisted at it. If we are going to get to our destination, we may as well
learn from Balak and not take no as an answer sometimes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Remember that time was crucial
for this man, right in his front were his perceived enemies who could take out
he and his people at any time and to stop this, he was ready to double his efforts
, he sent more numerous men, more prestigious, he increased his price and did
all in his power to ensure that the solution to his problem came. I see in him
not just a stubbornness but a rigid doggedness that refuses to take no for an
answer and child of God maybe it is time to ask ourselves it, is there need for
me to double my efforts or use all I how bad do I want it, what I am asking
God, am I putting my all to get have got ,not only in terms of money but even
in terms of relationships, Balak throws all into the battle,in order to secure victory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">I see the leadership of Balak shown <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>actively for the protection of his people and
his persistence. I know we are dealing with the errors of Balaam but this King
Balak teaches us a lesson in persistence which is worth emulating. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk484274922"><span style="color: #f4b083; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">In His Service,</span></a><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #a8d08d; font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Grace Tom-Lawyer</span></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "agency fb" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">“The Error of Balaam” is being run
now as the current Bible Study series on “Feasting at the Table” on Peace &Joy
Radio @11am every Saturday with a Rebroadcast on Tuesday@7pm</span></b></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-27394095906492377972017-05-25T20:46:00.001+01:002017-06-04T18:29:34.257+01:00The Error of Balaam 4b-Feasting at the Table edition <br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:14-16&version=AMP"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">AMP</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> Numbers 22:15</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Then Balak again sent leaders, more numerous and
[men who were] more distinguished than the first ones. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk484255932">Numbers
22:15 </a>AMP Amplified Version <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:14-16&version=CJB"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">CJB</span></a> </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk484255998"><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Numbers 22:15</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Balak again sent princes, more of them and of
higher status than the first group.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:14-16&version=CEV"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">CEV</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Numbers 22:15</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Then Balak sent a larger group of officials, who
were even more important than the first ones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:14-16&version=ESV"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">ESV</span></a> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Numbers 22:15</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Once again Balak sent princes, more in number and
more honorable than these.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:14-16&version=VOICE"><span style="color: windowtext; margin: 0px;">VOICE</span></a> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Numbers 22:15</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">But Balak <i>wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.</i>
He sent another, bigger contingent of even more highly esteemed men <i>to
solicit Balaam’s help</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">We
still continue to reiterate the fact that Balaam was being tempted and did not
handle it very well.The <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>more numerous
and more prestigious men<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>that were sent
the second time <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>posed a greater
temptation to Balaam. It is important to realize that these men came back and
it was not just coming back the next day. Considering where they were coming
from, it must have taken a minimum of another 30 days before they went back to
Balaam if we take into cognizance <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>the <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>journey<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>from <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Pethor and <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>a return<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>to Moab before Balak sent another contingent. Maybe this next contingent
left almost immediately but <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>it definitely
would have taken some time for them to have prepared and set out on another
journey, armed greatly. This is actually the way and manner that
temptations<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>come to us .There is never a
time we are left alone for a long while without being tempted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">And
we may not really know <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>what happened in
Balaam’s mind when these men initially left the first time.Did he have further
financial pressures when they left ? Was it possible that his children’s school
fees were waiting to be paid , that his wife quarrelled with him for not making
use of the opportunity that came along the way and perhaps while he was
regretting his decision, behold these men come again and Balaam is not about to
miss his chance. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:15-17&version=TLB"><span style="color: #4472c4; margin: 0px;">TLB</span></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">They came to Balaam with
this message: “King Balak pleads with you to come. He promises you great honors
plus any payment you ask. Name your own figure! Only come and curse these
people for us.”</span><br />
<span style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:15-17&version=MSG"><span style="color: #4472c4; margin: 0px;">MSG</span></a></span><br />
<span style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Balak sent another group of
nobles, higher ranking and more distinguished. They came to Balaam and said,
“Balak son of Zippor says, ‘Please, don’t refuse to come to me. I will honor
and reward you lavishly—anything you tell me to do, I’ll do; I’ll pay anything—only
come and curse this people.’”</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">
<sup><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">18 </span></sup><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would
give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps; margin: 0px;">Lord</span> my God, to do less or more.</span>
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<sup><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">19 </span></sup><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may
know what the <span style="font-variant: small-caps; margin: 0px;">Lord</span> will say unto
me more.</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">The
very thing Balak is asking for is the very thing God has asked Balaam not to do
and we will see who he really calls God because the person who he eventually
obeys is the one that is really his god. Obeying another voice is to put it
before it before <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>God which in itself is
idolatry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Balak
raises the stakes higher and gives Balaam a blank cheque this time. In essence,
he tells Balaam to name his price and that temptation is too much for Balaam <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>and so
he decides to renegotiate with God. Rather than asking the men to go back or
using this opportunity to correct the wrong he previously did by not declaring
the whole truth, he takes another detour and ask the men to spend yet another
night so he can enquire further .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">This
in itself is another error. Although clearly stated and informed by God what to
do , Balaam is still asking again and we all do this , I call it the error of
checking again. The word of God is extremely clear on some matters but rather, we
love to apply it to ourselves with a reason or several reasons for it not to
apply or be applicable in our lives. We try to justify why we shouldn’t obey
something to the latter, giving reasons why it is possibly best for us not to
heed strictly or perhaps feel that certain aspects of the scriptures are not
for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">We
need to be wary of hearing the Word of God and using it as a camera which just
takes us as we are, with no view to a change .Rather we should use the Word as
a mirror ,to correct our defects so we can reflect more of the glory of God.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">In His Service,</span></div>
<span style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Grace
Tom-Lawyer</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: #ff66ff; font-family: "berlin sans fb" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">“The
Error of Balaam” is being run now as the current Bible Study series on “Feasting
at the Table” on Peace &Joy Radio @11am every Saturday with a Rebroadcast
on Tuesday@7pm</span><span style="color: #ff66ff; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-17643237056442970102017-05-18T23:24:00.001+01:002017-06-04T18:30:32.641+01:00The Error of Balaam 4a - Feasting at the Table edition <span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-small;">"</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">Then
Balak sent a larger group of officials, who were even more important than the
first ones"- Numbers 22:16 . </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:14-16&version=CEV"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">CEV</span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">"Once
again Balak sent princes, more in number and more honorable than these."- Numbers 22:16 </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2022:14-16&version=ESV"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">ESV</span></span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">"But Balak
</span><i><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.</span></i><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;"> He sent another, bigger contingent of
even more highly esteemed men </span><i><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">to solicit Balaam’s help</span></i><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">. "-Numbers 22:16 </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">VOICE</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Last week we looked at the two
other errors of Balaam <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>where we saw
Balaam answering why instead of who and the fact that we all sometimes do this
in one way or the other<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>and the second
error we found was the fact that Balaam did not deliver the whole counsel of
God. We see Balaam refusing to tell Balak’s emissaries what God had said to him,
hiding <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>the fact that the mission was
impossible and that the Israelites cannot be cursed. He refused to tell the
whole truth and simply told them that the Lord refused him to go with them .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Just in the same way that Balaam
did not give all of the message, the messengers <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>who returned to Balak <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>also gave <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>an incomplete message.</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">This boomeranged and Balak
somehow got the message that Balaam could be bought and that somehow there was
a need to change the price. It was perhaps just a case of raising the stakes
higher and seeing that there could be a compromise. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">We look at the life of Balaam and
wonder, what was the price ?.This was a man who had already been told by God “not
to go”. Balak decided to do what the enemy usually does.-he raised the stakes
higher and it worked. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Let us remember that it was the
previous error of Balaam when he <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>didn’t
deliver the whole counsel of God that made the next error possible. T was easy
for the enemy to come knocking again. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Recently I was reading a survey
that was done in America some years ago when people were<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>asked how much they would be paid before they
could sleep with a total stranger and the response varied for men and women
with the men saying it could only take as low as $10 to sleep with a total
stranger woman and for the women, it was about a $100,000 as the highest amount
to sleep with a total stranger. There was another survey I saw in the internet
where they featured the 10 most expensive virginities hat were sold. Ladies
gave up their virginities to total strangers for different causes <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>.Some of course had reasons why they did it,
they were trying to pull through their education, raise funds for medical bills
and so many causes but that does not rebut the reason that what they did was Balaam
as we see from this story starts to consider again what he shouldn’t do when
there was a greater price attached to it . He definitely had a problem with
money as we shall see in this series wrong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">So let us consider, as is it very
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>possible for us to compromise when <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>the stakes are raised higher, the things that
we would not normally do, maybe circumstances present and cause our minds to
sway .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">If there is a change in price and
that poses a greater threat,then <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>it is a <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>temptation. Temptation actually occurs because
somehow it is something we desire. So before we even blame the devil, James
tells us that we are tempted when we are drawn away with our own lusts<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>and what is temptation to <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Mr A <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>may not be temptation to Mr B . It is
important for us to know the things that are a temptation to us so that we
don’t put ourselves in a position of vulnerability. Someone said to me recently
that she heard her Pastor say to know your strength is a strength in itself.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">In His Service,</span></div>
<span style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Grace Tom-Lawyer</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "berlin sans fb" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">“The
Error of Balaam” is being run now as the current Bible Study series on “Feasting
at the Table” on Peace &Joy Radio @11am every Saturday with a Rebroadcast
on Tuesday@7pm</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-66952832330826108552017-04-19T17:36:00.000+01:002017-06-03T17:47:50.850+01:00The Error of Balaam - Feasting at the Table edition <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "comic sans ms";"></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Having completed the very
enlightening" On the Way to the Palace"& the "Why"
series, I feel led that we should begin to consider yet another biblical
character. We have looked at two examples that are worth emulating and now
begin on our radio programme "Feasting at the Table" to look at
a character that the Bible actually warns us about. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">It is quite unfortunate that
although this man has a lot of credentials and in his day , he would have been
regarded as one having some sort of spiritual status considering the fact that
he heard from God, he unfortunately did not end well and the Bible being true
to itself, fails to shield from us the errors of the men that we sometimes tag
as heroes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">I still remember clearly the
first time I heard the name Balaam as a high school student. Most likely I had
been taught in Sunday School about a talking donkey but my first awakening with
Balaam came after I honoured an invitation from a neighbourhood friend to her
school Christian Union fellowship. That day, the brother who was exhorting us
took his passage from the book of Jude with the emphasis on verse 3 which
encouraged us to fight earnestly for the faith following which it began to give
us examples of apostates warning us not to go in their same direction as doing
such was bound to land us in where they unfortunately landed . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">The story of Balaam is seen in
the Old Testament in the book of Numbers chapter 22-25 and is what we
will be considering as we begin this series on the radio. I have decided to
highlight some previous lessons and the new ones that light is being shed upon
.As you may be aware, whenever we study God's word , there is always a new
light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">If there is one thing that this
series has in common with the one about Joseph as we looked at on the Way to
the Palace is the fact that it was not just one error that Balaam committed,
before the main error that we know about Balaam, he made several detours and
bad decisions along the way which eventually made it possible for him to
make that error he is so popular for. At several points in the life of Balaam,
he refused to repent .He continued headlong with increasing insensitivity
to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Balaam is brought into the
picture in Numbers chapter 22 after the Moabites and the Midianites decided
having observed the success of the Israelites as they defeated their
enemies. Balak the king of the Moabites under the false premonition that his
land was the next to be attacked decided that it was a battle that would need
spiritual forces and as such, he was ready to send for Prophet Balaam who lived
across international borders. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">One of the lessons we first learn
from Balak is not to make decisions based on fear , also there is a lesson
there for not assuming things as the Israelites had no intention to attack Moab
having been warned by God not to do so since they were relatives . I also
learnt from Balak the need to realize what we can and cannot do. Balak knew
that this battle was not one he could handle on his own. He knew that it was
not just a battle his country could fight alone and that there was a need for a
spiritual dimension. Once again, dear reader I ask if we are aware of the
battles we are in and the various strategies that are needed. Are we fighting a
"we" battle using an "I" strategy or perhaps , are we just
engaged in a needless battle like the Moabites and the Midianites here<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>as revealed in this story. To follow the
lesson properly, it would be great to reread the story of Balaam as outlined in
Numbers 22-25.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Throughout this season,
I encourage you to listen to the Broadcast and or the Rebroadcast, note
the new things , ask questions and do not forget to share as I am also
keen to hear .</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="color: #f4b083; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">In His Service,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #a8d08d; font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Grace Tom-Lawyer</span></u></b></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Agency FB",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">“The
Error of Balaam” is being run now as the current Bible Study series on “Feasting
at the Table” on Peace &Joy Radio @11am every Saturday with a Rebroadcast
on Tuesday@7pm</span></b></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-47058573528589156022017-04-18T22:35:00.001+01:002017-06-03T13:26:06.470+01:00A man SENT from God <div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I hope you had a great Easter. Mine was really filled with some outreaches that I am grateful <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>to God were successful. While we were discussing the “<span style="color: #ed7d31; margin: 0px;">Why series”, </span>under the “<span style="color: #d22eaf; margin: 0px;">Why he came”</span>, one of the reasons we looked at for the coming of Jesus was the fact that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #5b9bd5; margin: 0px;">Jesus came because he was sent..</span></i> This question of being <span style="color: #5b9bd5; margin: 0px;">sent</span> is seen all over Scriptures. Several of the prophets were ordinary men who the word of God came to and they heeded the call. Today ,I would like us to consider a man who was described in the scriptures as “<span style="color: #5b9bd5; margin: 0px;">sent from God</span>”.</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The name of this man is<b> John</b> who happens to be Jesus’s relative. His birth was foretold (Luke 1:8-17) and he was an answer to the prayer of an aged couple who the Bible described as righteous although they had found <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>themselves in the predicament of childlessness because Elizabeth was barren(Luke 1:7). His father, Zachariah was a priest while his mother was a daughter from the lineage of priest (Luke 1:5-6). This Elizabeth was a cousin of Mary (Luke 1:36), the mother of Jesus and as such John was Jesus’s cousin. The name John means ”Jehovah has been gracious”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"></span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Several years ago when I studied the life of the father of John, I was greatly encouraged that the Bible records some positive things about his life. The first of these is the fact that he and his wife were said to be righteous. Yes, they did have a problem which may have made the society look at them with disdain as barreness was seen as a curse those days( and a sign of disapproval from God. But in the midst of their own pain, I am deeply challenged by the fact that this couple continued in the right ways and Zachariah was introduced as still serving in the temple. He still went around ministering even though there was no hope that his needs would ever be ministered to, he is a typical case of though he slay me(Job 13:15) . He is also a reminder of Habakkuk’s cry that” though the fig tree does not blossom,…yet will I rejoice in God my rock” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“</span><span style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">There<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>was a man sent from God whose name was John .He came as a witness to testify concerning that light so that through him all might believe .He himself was not the light, he came only as a witness to the light </span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">.</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">.”-</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">John 1:16-18 NIV New International Version</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">This John was <span style="color: #5b9bd5; margin: 0px;">sent</span> and he had a sense of vison and purpose. This two things defined who he was and what he did.When the Pharisees <span style="color: #5b9bd5; margin: 0px;">sent</span> people to ask him if he was the messiah, he clarified that he was not and then they asked him why he did the things he did. He also informed them in reply that he did those things because those were the instructions he received from whom had sent him ( John 1:19-28) .</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">John teaches us in his conversation with the Pharisees that the man who has been sent is one whose life is shaped by purpose and sometimes when we do not know these, people will want to define us and give us their own ideas of what we would be doing. John was sent to reveal Jesus<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>and in order to do this, he had to go baptizing (John 1:31). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"></span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The lives of Zachariah and Elizabeth was attractive enough for God to entrust them with someone he sent on a special mission. Their problems did not stop them from serving and their wait on the Lord was not in vain. John teaches us several things that we must learn and have if we are sent from God . He challenges us to go beyond our comfort zone but still allow our lives and works <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>to be shaped by our purpose as received from him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We will continue this discussion in our next posts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #d22eaf; font-family: "bodoni mt" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">In His Service</span><span style="color: #d22eaf; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">,</span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #d22eaf; font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Grace Tom-Lawyer</span></b><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-92126783501050395952017-04-14T17:33:00.001+01:002017-06-03T13:22:42.429+01:00Why he rose 2 <br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br /></strike></div>
flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-11794332661240517272017-03-09T23:03:00.001+00:002017-06-03T13:19:25.392+01:00Wjhy he came 5<br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">When we were much
younger, there was this popular saying of “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #70ad47; margin: 0px;">do what I say but not what I do</span></i><span style="color: #70ad47; margin: 0px;"> </span>“. This was used to describe
people who doled advice they would not generally use and as such, were judged
for the hypocrisy of their words. Somehow if God did not come in human form, we
could accuse him of demanding from us what he has not been through himself and
as such the coming of Jesus in addition to providing a platform for identifying
with humanity also served to show us <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="color: #00b0f0; margin: 0px;">an example</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">This reason of his being
an<span style="color: #00b0f0; margin: 0px;"> example </span>affords us the privilege of a
role model. Paul while speaking to<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>the
Galatian church asked them to imitate him as he imitated Christ ( 1 Corinthian
11:1).There are several instances Jesus served as an example to us.</span></div>
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<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">There was a song we
used to sing about prayer in the Sunday School “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0; margin: 0px;">Jesus started with prayer and ended with
prayer, prayer is the master key</span></i>”. Jesus showed an example to us by
laying a pattern of consistent prayer (Mark 1:35). Even with increasing popularity,
he often withdrew himself to pray (Luke 5:16). He prayed so much that his
disciples actually asked him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1).We are told he
prayed out of reverent submission (Hebrews 5:7).</span></div>
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<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Jesus also showed
us an example in going to a place of worship regularly. He was taken to the
temple as a child ( Luke 2:21-40), as a boy(Luke 2:41-52) and even on Sabbath
days( Luke 4:16) and the book of Hebrews enjoins us not to forsake the
gathering of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25).Whenever we gather with other
believers, power is released (Obadiah 1:17, Psalms 84:7,Hebrews 12:22).</span></div>
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<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">He was also an
example of what it meant to be a good citizen by paying his taxes and to be a
good church member by paying the temple tax.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Jesus was not too
busy to be sociable as we see him attending a wedding party (John 2:1-12 ). He
even performed his first miracle there. .He was friendly and had friends,( John
11), and had time to play and touch little children <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>who were brought to him(Matthew 19:14).Jesus
also showed us an example of what it means to be a real man, he was man enough
to cry (John 11:35) when he lost a friend. </span></div>
<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Another example
Jesus showed us was the need to be able to cross barriers and treat people
equally. He crossed <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>cultural and racial
barriers by talking with the Samaritan women (John 4), ate and drank with tax
collectors who were regarded as outcasts in his days ( Matthew 11 :19).He knew
the art of delegation and at one time sent seventy disciples out to preach Luke
10 :17-19).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">These are just a
few examples I have mentioned but studying the life of Jesus personally will
cause us to see how he was </span></div>
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<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Lest I forget,
Jesus showed us an example of what it is to provide for our families. While he
was on the cross, he provided life insurance for his widowed mother whom he
told the John to take home as his own mother (John 19 :25-27) .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">We really do
celebrate the coming of Jesus as we have come to see that his coming was in no
way accidental, he came because he was sent and so as to fulfil prophecy, he
also came as part of the redemptive plan of God, identifying with us humans
while showing us examples of how to live our lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">I am so glad that
Jesus came, what about you?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #d22eaf; font-family: "comic sans ms"; margin: 0px;">In His Service</span><span style="color: #d22eaf; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #d22eaf; font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 22pt; margin: 0px;">Grace
Tom-Lawyer</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-6064581859315719052017-03-01T23:39:00.001+00:002017-04-19T22:21:13.431+01:00Why he came 4
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">“For
the Son of man , came to seek and save the lost “-</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Luke
18 :10 -NIV New International Version</span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">“But go and learn what this means ,I desire
mercy and not sacrifice For I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to
repentance”--</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Matthew 9:13 <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>KJV King James
Version </span><br />
<span style="color: #d22eaf; font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">“For
this reason, whe had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order
that he might become a merciful and faithful priest in service to God that he
might make atonement for the sins of the people</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">”- Hebrews
2:17 NIV New International Version</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="color: #0070c0; margin: 0px;">“Since he himself
has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are
tested”- </span>Hebrews 2:18 NLT New Living Translation </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">The third reason we
would consider why Jesus came is the fact that Jesus came to <span style="color: #d22eaf; margin: 0px;">redeem man</span>. It was part of God’s redemptive
purpose which required that man be restored (1 John 4:10).</span></div>
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<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Jesus came to
redeem us, he came to save us (Matthew 9:13). In his days, Jesus was misinterpreted.
He was accused of eating with sinners(Mark 2:17-18) but this company he kept
was actually defined by his mission as this were the very people he was sent
to.For anyone to work in divine purpose, not all company will be right and we
must see this being far beyond physical company.</span></div>
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<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">In this redemptive
purpose of God, Jesus came to remove us from just existing to truly living (1
John 5:12).He declared that he had come to give us abundant life(John 10:10).Another
part of the redemptive purpose of God was for Jesus to destroy the works of the
devil (1 John 3:8).</span><br />
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<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">The next reason we
will consider for his coming is that Jesus came <span style="color: #d22eaf; margin: 0px;">so
as to identify with humanity. </span>It was necessary for Jesus to come to
earth to identify with us. Right where he was in the heaven, he could not
redeem man because the prophecy in Genesis 3:15 talked about the “seed of the
woman”. God could not fully identify with man until he became man (1 Timothy 3:16)
and as such was able to serve us in the redemptive purpose (Mark 10:45).</span><br />
<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">In identifying with
man, Jesus came to reveal the father to us (John 17:25-26) .He started this
with his disciples whom <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>he could not
have related to properly without being human. </span><br />
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<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">If Jesus did not
identify with us by being made a human being, he would never have really been
able to empathize with us , hence we see that in becoming fully human ,in every
way, he is able to be a merciful and faithful priest(Hebrews 2:17).</span></div>
<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">The fact that Jesus
came to identify with us brings a lot of comfort to me and I would like to look
at several things that Jesus experienced that we experience today, yet he was
without sin (Hebrews 4:15). </span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 12.0pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Jesus
knows what it is to have suffered the pain of mockery and insults ( Matthew
27;31&1 Peter 2:23). He is well acquainted with the pain of being misunderstood(John
10:30-33) and misintepreted .Even his family members thought that he was crazy
(Mark 3:21).He knows what it is to be betrayed even by close friends (Luke
22:48) and to be left alone or even denied when the chips are down by people
who he felt were his best buddies.(Luke 22:54-62).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 12.0pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Jesus
has also felt the sting of being despised as his neighbours retorted that he
was just a carpenter (Matthew 13:55).While identifying with us, Jesus is fully
aware of what it feels like to be forsaken by God ( Matthew 27:46<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>) and he knows, O this one has brought me
great comfort in the past few weeks, he knows what it is to be falsely accused
.Having gone through a season of being falsely accused with many times just
lying down on the bed and crying, I have drawn comfort from the fact that Jesus
knows what it is to be falsely accused and he can share my pain . </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-top: 12.0pt; vertical-align: top;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Probably another
area we can all identify with is the pain of seemingly unanswered prayers (Matthew
26:39,Luke 22:42). Yes ,Jesus also did not have all his prayers answered as he
would have loved them to be. And if we find ourselves grieving, we can also be
sure that he understands, having lost even a close friend. We are told he wept.
But in all of these, Jesus still did the will of the father and was without sin
(Hebrews 4 :15 ) . </span><br />
<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">Jesus came to
redeem man and in doing so, he died in our place. He also came to identify with
us, knowing what it is to be human so he can fully help us. We can freely
approach him for mercy and grace in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16) He has
been there, gone through and nailed it to the cross.</span></div>
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<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: #d22eaf; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; margin: 0px;">In His Service</span><span style="color: #d22eaf; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #d22eaf; font-family: "Brush Script MT"; font-size: 22pt; margin: 0px;">Grace
Tom-Lawyer</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-39910978244702929982017-02-24T14:27:00.001+00:002017-04-19T18:52:39.961+01:00Why he came 3
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<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">“For
God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son that whosever
believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life”- </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;">John
3 :16</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; margin: 0px;"> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>KJV <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">King James Version</b> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: #4472c4; font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“But
when the set time had fully come, God sent his son ,born of a woman ,born under
the Law “-</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Galatians 4:4</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> NIV <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">New International Version </b></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The<span style="color: #7030a0; margin: 0px;"> second </span>reason we would
address in these series is the fact that Jesus came <span style="color: #7030a0; margin: 0px;">because
</span><span style="color: #5b9bd5; margin: 0px;">he was sent</span><span style="color: #7030a0; margin: 0px;">. </span>Jesus was humble enough to be <span style="color: #5b9bd5; margin: 0px;">sent</span> (Philippians 2:5-8 ).Although
a member of the Godhead(John 1;1-3), he was obedient enough to be <span style="color: #4472c4; margin: 0px;">sent</span>. Jesus was willing to
take the place of a messenger (Isaiah 6:8). He did not come of his own accord
but was <span style="color: #5b9bd5; margin: 0px;">sent</span>. One of
the most famous Bible verses (John 3:16) tell us that this was because of the
love of the Father. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Jesus himself <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>was sent <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>and so did not come to advance his own
purpose. Rather he came to do the will of God who<span style="color: #5b9bd5; margin: 0px;"> sent </span>him(John 6:38). On one occasion, he commented
that he did the things he had seen his father do (John 5:19-20) in the true
spirit of servanthood.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">When Jesus prayed
finally in the Garden of Gethsemane , he prayed that only the father s will be
done(Luke 22: 42).This inevitably is <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>the
mark of a true and faithful servant who has been sent.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Jesus came because he was sent and we also have been sent by
God to preach the good news, baptize and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20 ;Mark
16:15-16). Someone has rightly commented that this is the Great Commission and
not the Great suggestion. </span><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">As we consider in this season that Jesus came because he was
sent and indeed fulfilled the reason for which he was sent, we need to reflect
on how well we are doing with what God has sent us to do. Let us also pray that
the Lord will send labourers to the harvest field <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Matthew 9 38 ) and “Lord, please start with
me”. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Bodoni MT",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">In His Service</span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Brush Script MT"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Grace Tom -Lawyer</span></div>
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flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-26355629749106162232017-02-16T01:17:00.001+00:002017-06-03T13:18:48.439+01:00Why he came 2 <div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #548235; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign ,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Behold a virgin shall conceive,and bear a son , and shall call his name Immanuel</i> “-</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Isaiah 7:15 KJV <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">King James Version</b> </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #70ad47; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“Now all this was done ,that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying ,”- </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Matthew 1:22 KJV <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">King James Version</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="color: #548235; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“For we are his workmanship ,created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared ahead of time for us to do”- </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Ephesians 2:10 CSB <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Christain <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Standard Bible</b></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I do not know how familiar you are with Lego blocks but there are several and sometimes our children try to build things using Lego blocks. However if you <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>have ever watched a child build things successfully using lego, you would probably have noticed that there are usually some foundational blocks they use before they are able to continue<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>to build .When we started <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>this series “Why he came”. To reiterate these, <span style="color: #c00000; margin: 0px;">the coming of Jesus was not an afterthought</span> but was properly planned by God and the second of these is <span style="color: #c00000; margin: 0px;">that the coming of Jesus to the earth was not the beginning of his existence.</span></span><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Moving on from this, the <span style="color: #4472c4; margin: 0px;">first </span>reason to consider is the fact that<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #4472c4; margin: 0px;"> Jesus coming was a fulfilment of prophecy</span></i></b>. Long before he ever appeared on the scene, even before he was born, it was predicted that a virgin will bring forth a son (Isaiah 7:14). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Matthew writes the gospel that bears his name to the Jews and as such kept referring to the Old Testament with an emphasis of “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that it may be fulfilled”</i> and when he records the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1 :18-25, he repeatedly used the same phrase “that it may be fulfilled” .This prior prophecy was what the angel pointed out to Joseph the betrothed husband of Mary during his time of confusion after Mary informed him of her pregnancy. The coming of Jesus was a fulfilment of prophecy given almost six hundred years before he was born(Isaiah 7:14) .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Even after <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Jesus was born, when his parents took him in obedience to the temple to be dedicated, there were two witnesses who confirmed that the coming of Jesus was what they were waiting for . The first of this air was Simeon(Luke 2 :25- 26).When he saw Jesus, he was able to ask God to release him to go as he has seen the salvation that was promised <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>promised to Israel (Luke 2:2:29-33).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The other individual who confirmed this was Anna who was a widow and had been serving God with fasting and prayer in the temple(Luke 2:36-37).This woman’s sensitivity to the Holy Spirit enabled her to be there when Jesus was dedicated(Luke 2:38). </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">So for today, as we examine the fact that Jesus came so as to fulfil prophecy, we need to ask ourselves in this season “<span style="color: #4472c4; margin: 0px;">what prophecy am I fulfilling</span>? Sometimes we may become daunted by the fact that some people had things written about them specifically but if we study our Scriptures very well, we would see that we too, as long as we have been recreated in Christ have a prophecy we are supposed to fulfil. It is something that God has planned for us to do which the next verse states so plainly,</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="color: #00b050; margin: 0px;">“God planned for us to do good things<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>and to live as he has always wanted us to live .That is why he sent Christ to make us what we are”-</span>CEV <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Contemporary English Version</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“God has made us what we are in Christ Jesus. God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned or us to do </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“-ERV <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">English Revised Version</b> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Although these good works do not guarantee salvation, they are the product and fruit of our salvation. Jesus came to fulfil prophecy and we are also here to fulfil prophecy. May the Lord help us to fulfil what he has called us to . </span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">In His Service,</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-18427249366714893392017-02-15T20:42:00.001+00:002017-04-19T18:53:23.857+01:00Ash wednesday-Why he came <div class="singleverse-version" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 10px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">
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<span style="color: purple;">“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.</span>-John 3:16 <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:15-17&version=MSG" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-align: right; text-decoration-line: none;">MSG</a> The Message <br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I must confess that sometimes while I am writing or teaching a particular series,I am usually not sure about what the next series would be.It is not for lack of content but there are usually so many things going on that I begin to wonder <i><span style="color: #f79646; mso-themecolor: accent6;">,”Lord what is the best direction to take the next series</span></i><span style="color: #f79646; mso-themecolor: accent6;">”</span> .I do do this quite ahead of time and eventually get something, sometimes it comes quite close to when the new series is about to begin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So recently ,it got impressed on my heart to start treating in this Lent season what we will call "<b><span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">The Why Series".</span></b> The <b><span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">Why series</span></b> is a look at three questions that relate to Jesus Firstly we will deal with<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">” Why Jesus came</span>”,secondly “<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">Why Jesus died</span> “and then finally “<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;">Why Jesus rose</span>”. Sometimes we may think we do know more than we actually do and that is what I actually discovered as I began to study and the Holy Spirit threw light on several other Scriptures,I realized that apart from redemption, there were some other reasons <span style="color: #7030a0;">why Jesus came</span> and these proved to be of great comfort to me and I sure believe will be to you also .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> So before we delve into these reasons,I would like to establish two things. The first of these is the fact that <b><i><span style="color: orange;">the coming of Jesus was not an afterthought</span></i></b>. It was not a last resort or a fire brigade approach to the fall of man. This fall of man occurred as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God and their sin had to be atoned for by the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22 ).And although physical blood was shed when God made clothes for them ( Genesis 3:21), we are also told in Scriptures that before the foundation of the world, the lamb himself was already slain (1 Peter 1:20 &Revelation 1:8). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The second of these truths is <b><i><span style="color: orange;">that the coming of Jesus to the earth was not the beginning of his existence. </span></i></b>There are several Scriptural references that support this pre-existence .Right from the Genesis account, we see God talking in the plural 'let us make man…'(Genesis 1 : 26 ).Also during the building of the Tower of Babel still in Genesis ,it was still the plural term used for let us go and see what man is doing (Genesis 11:1-9 ). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This pre-existence of Jesus is supported by Apostle John who tells us at the very introduction of the book of John : 'In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word is God ….'(John 1:1-3).These very first three verses are very much similar to the first three verses of Genesis 1(Genesis 1:1-3).He goes further to also tell us in his first letter that there are three that bear record in heaven(1 John 3: ),the father ,the Son and the Spirit And in verse 8 of the same chapter, he tells us that the son of God “appeared”. This fact that he appeared denotes that he was existing somewhere else. This same letter contains the phrase he appeared in both verse 5&8(1 John 3:5,8).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Having established these two important truths as foundation blocks for our series, we will begin to consider in the next post some of the reasons why Jesus came. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In His Service,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Grace Tom-Lawyer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-6760977217462763732017-02-08T22:45:00.001+00:002017-02-27T16:27:43.433+00:00On the Way to the Palace-Potiphar's house 2<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Agency FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And the midianites sold him
into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s and captain of the
guard”-Genesis 37:36<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>KJV King
James Version<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "Agency FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p>“And Joseph
was brought down to Egypt and Potiphar , an officer of Pharaoh ,captain of the
guard ,an Egyptian ,bought him of the hands of the Ishaemelites which had
brought him down thither”- Genesis 39:1<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>KJV
King James Version</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another salient point we notice in these verses above is that
Potiphar is an Egyptian. We have already noticed that this man who bought
Joseph from the slave market had close links with royalty. He is an officer of
Pharaoh and called the “chief executioner”. In other words, he dealt with the
unpleasant business of getting rid of those the king was displeased with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The fact that he brought Joseph to live in his house tells
volumes about Joseph that we should not ignore. It appears that Joseph may have
initially started out on the fields before working his way to serve in the household
of his master. For Joseph to be able to do this effectively, he would have had
to go through the challenges of learning a new language so as to be able to
communicate properly. And with the language of the new people he found himself
amongst, there was the added burden of learning a new culture in the midst of
strangers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The man <span style="color: #ffc000;">on the Way to the Palace</span>
is one who must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and be ready to
learn and unlearn as the situation requires.
Adaptability is an essential requirement for the man <span style="color: #ffc000;">on
the Way to the Palace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was no coincidence that Joseph was bought by someone who
served the King, God had to position Joseph rightly and as such Potiphar’s
house served as a training ground for Joseph. In addition to the language and
culture of Egypt, he learned the business and politics of Egypt. It is also
worth noting that Joseph’s sale to Egypt was all part of fulfillment of prophecy
( Genesis 15:13).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It takes a great degree of humility to be able to learn
anything ( Proverbs 11:12;Psalms 25:8-9) .Forced with the estrangement from his
father, Joseph decided to not to allow his history deprive him of the current
moment or his glorious future. He maximized the moment by getting to know the
Egyptian language, culture, business and politics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Conclusion, the man <span style="color: #ffc000;">on the way to the Palace</span> is one who is easily adaptable and ready to learn new skills. Refusing to learn and improve ourselves will
eventually make us unfit for God’s purposes and getting to the Palace. This new
location of Joseph is all part of God’s sovereign plan and <span style="color: #ffc000;">on the Way to the Palace</span>, our location is
critical and hence relocation should not be taken
lightly or changed solely on economical reasons. He should also be one who is
always ready to make the best use of whatever situation he finds himself in (Proverbs
16:4& Ecclesiastes 9:10).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2;">In His Service,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2;">Grace Tom-Lawyer</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-37017324862181433042017-02-02T23:02:00.001+00:002017-02-27T14:46:07.738+00:00On the Way to the Palace -Potiphar's house 1<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
the midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh’s and captain of the guard”-Genesis 37:36 <b>KJV King James Version<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
Joseph was brought down to Egypt and Potiphar , an officer of Pharaoh ,captain
of the guard ,an Egyptian ,bought him of the hands of the Ishaemelites which
had brought him down thither”- Genesis
39:1 <b>KJV King James Version</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So Joseph,our prototype for the man <span style="color: #ffc000;">on the Way to the
Palace </span>got delivered and pulled
out of the pit(Genesis 37:24,28) and just before he could give his testimony of
deliverance, he meets yet another challenge. With utter disbelief, he is
accosted with the fact that the reason why he was pulled out of the pit was not
for rescue but to be sold into slavery(Genesis 37:28) .How could God
have answered his prayers with such glaring contradiction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I believe that as
Joseph was sold to the Ishaemelites ( Genesis 37:28) and money exchanged hands
,hot tears flowed freely down his cheeks while he pleaded with his brothers for mercy. With their grim faces
set on seizing the momentous opportunity of getting rid of Joseph and his
dreams, they chose to be stone deaf to their younger brother’s cries. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wittingly
Joseph’s brothers had thought things through and knew that with his coat of
many colours in hand, their fabricated story about his possible whereabouts would be believed by their father ,Jacob(Genesis 37:31-34 ).They did not mind their father grieving due
to heir false evidence(Genesis 37:35). Moreso ,Joseph was almost as good as
dead. Out of the way, he finally would no longer serve as a threat to their father’s
love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And so Joseph got sold to Ishaemelites who were travelling down to
Egypt. From Dotham to Egypt was approximately
300 miles and could have taken
about 15 days. Surely this was not his idea of a visit to that country and not
anything that looked like his previous dreams. As a slave, he lost the freedom
of what to wear, when to eat, sleep .His position as the favoured son in his father’s
house had changed dramatically. He perhaps witnessed some other fellow slaves
with him not make it to the market place due to the harsh conditions..Thank fully,
we are told he did and he was later bought by Potiphar(Genesis 37:36).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are told some important facts about Potiphar. In the two
verses where Potiphar is mentioned ( Gen 37:36& 39:1), the writer of
Genesis is careful to let us know that he is linked to royalty .He was an
officer of Pharaoh which was the title for the Egyptian ruler or king. Egypt was the centre of civilization and Pharaoh was
probably one of the most powerful men on the planet at that time. Potiphar was
an officer and some translations tell us that he was an eunuch. He acquired Joseph
in the slave market and took him home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Bible does not shield from
us the fact that men that God used also had their share of trouble and
trying times.<span style="color: #ffc000;"> On the Way to the Palace,</span> we
can expect trouble. James in his letter tells us to welcome trouble as friends(James 1:2 J.B.Phillips).It is all part of the deal for
the man <span style="color: #ffc000;">on the Way to the Palace .</span> In short,the
Psalmist seemed acquainted with this when he said “<i>The righteous person may have many troubles ,but the Lord delivers him
from them all”</i>.(Psalms 34:19 NIV ). God placed Joseph in the house of
Potiphar strategically and he continues to do so for every man who will
eventually get <span style="color: #ffc000;">to the Palace.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-67912855926733410772017-01-25T20:56:00.000+00:002017-01-25T20:56:25.207+00:00Another Joseph 5<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Another Joseph 5 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Today, hopefully we shall conclude on
the life of this “</span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Another Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">” with the
concluding verses of Luke Chapter two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When Mary and Joseph had completed
everything required by the Law of the Lord,they returned to their hometown ,
Nazareth in Galilee.The child grew up and became strong .He was filled with
wisdom and God’s favour was on him Luke
2 :39-40<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">According to Scriptures by the time </span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> and Mary had completed all that was necessary, they returned back
to their home town with Jesus. The thing that struck me about the next verse is
the fact that it says Jesus grew. There was something about the home that </span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Joseph </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">and Mary had that created the right environment which fostered growth. There are certain basic
things that a child needs to be able to grow and develop properly. If the
parents of a child do not provide these basic things, there is a high probability
that development will be hampered and this would show up later in the life of
the individual as an adult. The progress of Jesus was all rounded and not
lopsided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Each year his parents went to Jerusalem
for the Passover Festival.When he was 12 years old,they went up to Jerusalem
according to their custom. Luke 2:40-41<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The obedience of this </span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">another Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> is seen with this very next verses. It was required that all men
appear three times before the Lord in Jerusalem. These times were during the
festival of Unleavened bread - Passover(
Deutronomy 16:16 ), the festival
of weeks ( Exodus 34:20,23,24) and the
festival of Booths (Exodus 23;14,17 ). Even as the years went by, the
obedience of </span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> and Mary to this instruction was not
hindered. Jesus was not the only child in the family but his parents did not
use him as an excuse for absence from the temple or what was commanded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After the festival was over , they were
returning home, but the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t
know it. Supposing that he was among their band of travellers,they journeyed on
for a full day while looking for him among their family and friends. When they
didn’t find Jesus ,they returned .After three
days they found him in the temple .He was sitting among the teachers ,listening
to them and putting questions to them ,Luke 2:43-46 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">It was also in obedience that Jesus
was taken to the festival when he was twelve years of age and the above verses show that after the
festival, </span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Joseph </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">and Mary assumed that Jesus was travelling in the
company of friends and relatives when they set off to return. This story also
shows us the humanity of </span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> and Mary and the fact that they were
not above error. They probably noticed Jesus absence and felt he was still in
their company somewhere. It was not too long they found out that they were
wrong in their assumptions. Someone has said that assumption is the lowest form
of knowledge. And although they missed it initially and </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">traveled</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> for a good
one day without their son, when it was noticed , they retraced their steps
back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">This is another quality of the life of
“</span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Another Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">” that is worth emulating. He did not
continue going on towards his home town when he discovered that Jesus was not
in their company. He was not too proud to retrace his steps to search for his son
and most importantly we see his fatherhood exhibited here. </span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> did not ask Mary to go and search for her son rather he followed
her back and they went in search of Jesus together .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">He did this willingly as we see the
persistence with which he continued in the search until they found Jesus
seventy two hours later. What an example for godly fathers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But here in this story is a point for us to always take heed to as we
conclude these series of “</span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Another Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> “. The whole
family had gone to fulfil religious obligation and somehow had not noticed that
Jesus was not with them as they journeyed. It may be that you may have been
going on doing God’s work, church business, so many good things and did not
notice that things have been so crowded that there is no space for Jesus. Jesus
is no more in the house, somehow you have left him somewhere. Following what Joseph
and Mary did, it is not too late to retrace steps back because like one of my
mentors,Selwyn Hughes who has gone to
glory says, “If God seems far away , guess who moved? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">It is never too late to retrace your
steps back to Jesus, he is patiently waiting for you(Revelation 3:20).There is
indeed in everyman a void that only Jesus can fill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> #Love to hear from you <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Grace Tom-Lawyer</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-69704474095435964182017-01-18T19:15:00.001+00:002017-01-18T19:15:33.861+00:00Another Joseph 4<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The various gospels show the birth of
Jesus and his early life with different emphasis and for us to fully appreciate
this other</span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> we are studying, let us now turn to Luke’s account as we continue to glean from
the life of “</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">“And all
went to be taxed , every one into his own city .And Joseph also went up from
Galilee ,out of the city of Nazareth ,into Judea ,unto the city of David, which
is called Bethlehem (because he was of
the house and lineage of David )”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 2:3-4 </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">KJV King James Version</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">We can comfortably
infer that <span style="color: #1f497d;">Joseph</span>,
was a good citizen. He was one who
obeyed the laws of the land. This journey back to Bethlehem was not convenient
at all and he did have every excuse not to make it. After all, Mary his wife
was heavily pregnant(Luke 2:5) but a man<span style="color: #ffc000;"> on the way
to the Palace </span>can learn from this example of responsible citizenship in
the life of “<span style="color: #4f81bd;">Another Joseph</span>”.Apostle Paul in
his letters to the churches emphasized the matchless value of the witness of
good citizenship and urged his readers to obey the government because they are
however God’s agents for maintaining law and order( Romans 13:1-5;2 Peter
2:13-17 ). And it was because Joseph obeyed this government law that Jesus was
born in where it was written that he would be born (Micah 5:2&Matthew
2:5-6).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The next verse subtly
adds to the character of this man as we read that he went to be taxed with Mary,his wife
(Luke 2;5). This Joseph was able to also command his household to obey the laws
of the land. Severally, we see him leading his household to obedience by being
a good example(Luke 2:5).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">“......</span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">And they came with haste and found Mary,and Joseph and the babe
lying in a manger” </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luke 2:16 KJV</span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">King
James Version</span><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">After the </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">shepherds were instructed by the angels who
shared the good news </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">about the birth of
the saviour, they went and found Mary, Joseph and the baby. This man Joseph was
not an absent father. He was involved even when Jesus was an infant and so
could witness some of the great moments in the life of his adopted son.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">“When the
time came to do what the law of Moses taught about being made pure, they took
Jesus to Jerusalem to present to the Lord”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 2:22 NCV New Century Version</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> Not only do we find
this Joseph obedient to the laws of his country, he is also obedient to what
has been written in the law of Moses which was the much he knew( Exodus
13;13-16).Every firstborn was to be redeemed. Joseph did not feel too big to do this rite as commanded.
In our days, this action of Joseph could be likened to that of being a good
church member. It is also worth noticing that when it was time to bring Jesus
to the temple, he did it with Mary. He was not the kind of husband that would
send wife and children to church and not be a participant .At various times
whenever Luke referred to this family, Joseph is mentioned first showing that
he was the leader, even in spiritual things and taking his rightful place as the priest in his own home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">“And to
offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law , a pair of turtle
doves or two young pigeons” </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Luke 2:24 KJV King James Version</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Another thing about this
Joseph was the fact that he gave(Luke 2:24). Not only did he bring Jesus to the
temple but he offered the sacrifice required. According to the laws given by
Moses, God made a provision for offerings to be done according to the financial
status of the giver in order to foster compliance and willingness. Joseph did
not allow his meagre means to serve as
an excuse for not giving what was required. He offered two turtle doves which
was what was required if one was poor (Leviticus 12:6-8 ) and could not afford
a lamb. Joseph was a man who gave according to his level without the need to
impress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AR BERKLEY"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">And it was
because he did all these that they were met by two people who gave prophecies:
Simon(Luke 2:25-36) &Anna(Luke 2:36-38).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">One of the rewards of obedience is
blessings and the life of Joseph is full of several examples of this (Luke 2:
34) . When Joseph and Mary got to the temple, they were met by two people who
eventually gave prophecies and strengthened their faith. There was definitely
something about their promptness to obedience that allowed their paths to
collide with the lives of destiny enhancers( Luke 2: 27,28,& 38).</span><span style="background: #FDFEFF; color: #001320; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">There is so much more we cam cull from the life of this “</span><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">” if we must eventually get </span><span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">to the
Palace.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> A life of prompt obedience both to God and living in such a way
that he could lead his family on different levels does make him worth emulating
.As a father , he was present and involved in the life of the little one
entrusted to him .I urge you readers to take a few moments to read through
again and pray for the lives of your sons, brothers, uncles, husbands and
fathers. We sure need a lot of godly male role models these days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In His Service,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Grace Tom-Lawyer,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-42883692201659853002017-01-11T21:36:00.001+00:002017-01-13T19:08:42.665+00:00Another Joseph 3 <div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">24 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Then
Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him
and took to him his wife,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"></span><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;"><span id="en-NKJV-23170" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">25 </span></span></sup></b><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn
Son.</span></span><span class="text"><sup data-fn="#fen-NKJV-23170d" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NKJV-23170d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 6pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew++1&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-23170d" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer;" title="See footnote d"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">d</span></a>]</span></sup></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">And he called His name</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Jesus</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">.</span> Matthew 1:24-25
<b>KJV
King James Version </b></span><b><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">“When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord’s angel told him to do.
He married Mary”<b>- </b>Matthew 1:24-25<b> ERV-English Revised Version <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">“When Joseph woke up he did what the angel had told him. He
married Mary, but had no intercourse with her until she had given birth to a
son. Then he gave him the name Jesus.”--Matthew 1:24-25 <b>Phillips <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">As we continue to look at the life of “</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another
Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">” ,I am amazed at the strength of the character of this man. We
are told in the next verse(Matthew 1: 24 ) that although he took Mary home as
his wife, he did not sleep with her until she had her first born son. That tells
me at least three things about this man that is once again worth emulating if
we are eventually going to get to the Palace or raise children who will eventually
get to the Palace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">Firstly, this “</span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another
Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">” was a man of great self control. It is one thing not to sleep
with your </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">fiancee</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> as per honouring God’s guidelines against pre-marital sex but
it is another thing to be married to your wife and not touch her out of respect
for the seed she is carrying and what God has planned to do with her life. Let
us imagine that he saw Mary go to the bathroom, return ,dress up ,lie on the same
bed with him everyday for almost nine
months and he did not have any sexual relations with her( Matthew 1:24).This
man’s ability to keep his legitimate
desires under control is a testimony of
a life that is recklessly abandoned to the will and purpose of God .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">The next thing that is worth noting is
that this </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;"> “is man
enough and confident in himself to support the dreams of another, especially
his wife’s dreams. He watched her belly protrude throughout those nine ,months
and I am really convinced that he helped her around the house during that
period. Unlike the brothers of the original </span><span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;"> we were studying who were so
bent on aborting his dreams(Matthew 37:19-20), this </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;"> helped to
nurture the dreams of another. He must have created an environment that enabled
Mary to carry the pregnancy successfully without feeling threatened neither did
he resort to emotional abuse .He created the kind of atmosphere that enabled
his wife to fulfil the purpose of God for her life .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">The third thing from this verse is
that </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;"> called the name of the son that Mary gave birth to “Jesus”
(Matthew 1: 24). He did according to the instructions he had been given in his
dreams(Matthew 1: 21 ). He was a man of complete obedience as we see him
carrying to the latter the commandments that were given him. All through the
recount of the genealogy of </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">, none of his ancestors as it were
bore that name but </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;"> obeyed and gave the child the name that was given in the dream.
He was a man of humility and gave up the right of naming his wife’s firstborn
son what he would have loved to call him. Most people having a baby usually
have a preference for the name they want to call their child but all these is
put aside as this man </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joseph </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">seeks to honour God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">This <span style="color: blue;">“Another Joseph</span>” was a man who worked
in partnership with God.He was more concerned about God’s purpose and will and
as we look at his life up to this point, we are challenged to see someone
living his life in a way that the words “this was to fulfil scripture” could be
written about him. Almost after every verse about him is a confirmation from
Matthew so that it may be fulfilled what was written in Scripture(Matthew 1: 22;
2:15,23).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">If we are eventually going to get to
the Palace, we must live our lives according to scriptures like the way Joseph
did .One of the things written about us is the truth that we have been recreated to do good works
which God planned for us long ago to do( Ephesians 2:10). Another scripture that
has been written concerning us is that God’s purpose is that we eventually
become like his son ,conformed into his image ,so that his son Jesus may be the
firstborn among many brethren( Romans 8:29).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">Self control, the ability to nurture
the dreams of another and complete and thorough obedience are attributes that
the man who will eventually get to the Palace must possess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In His Service,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Grace Tom-Lawyer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-58170980145397204572017-01-04T22:46:00.000+00:002017-01-18T19:25:22.349+00:00Another Joseph 2 <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 18.6667px;">We continue our series today as we explore more attributes of this “Another Joseph”. This is the Joseph who married Mary and was the adopted father of Jesus .We will continue looking at his life from Matthew’s account in Chapter 1. </span><br />
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<span class="verse-num" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">20</strong> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"> But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived </span><span class="footnote" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="p1" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box;"></a><a href="http://www.christianity.com/bible/bible.php?q=Matthew+1:20-25&ver=kjv#f1" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 153, 204) !important; text-decoration: none;" title="conceived: Gr. begotten">[1]</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"> in her is of the Holy Ghost. </span><span class="verse-num" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">21</strong> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"> And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: </span><span class="footnote" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="p2" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box;"></a><a href="http://www.christianity.com/bible/bible.php?q=Matthew+1:20-25&ver=kjv#f2" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 153, 204) !important; text-decoration: none;" title="JESUS: that is, Saviour, Heb">[2]</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"> for he shall save his people from their sins. </span><span class="verse-num" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">22</strong> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"> Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, </span><span class="verse-num" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">23</strong> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"> Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. </span><span class="verse-num" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">24</strong> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"> Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: </span><span class="verse-num" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">25</strong> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.25px;"> And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS Matthew 1:20-25 KJV King James Version </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 18.6667px;">......he thought about those things </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">That to me means that this man <span style="color: #0070c0;">Joseph</span> was one who was not rash. He doid not just act on his feelings . He took time to weigh his actions and be sure that his course of action was right. He was a thinker and every woman can do with a man who would just think and actually apply a little break to his actions I believe that God was able to communicate with him because he thought about these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">God could speak to him <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">Once again we see dreams being a means of communication. God spoke to this other <span style="color: #4f81bd; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Joseph</span> also through dreams. In those days they had the books of the Law and prophets and were also guided by them. A caution though is that we should check our dreams to the standard of the word of God. There is no need using a dream as a reason for doing something that clearly contradicts scriptures .The message that the angel gives to <span style="color: #0070c0;">Joseph</span> is also backed up by a scripture quotation “For it is written ,a virgin shall give birth to a son Matthew 1:23.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">He was a man of the Word .....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;"> must also been a man who was <span style="color: #00b050;">familiar with scriptures</span> hence he was able to identify his current circumstances and Mary’s claim in retrospect as prophecy being fulfilled and what a honour it was for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">And when we woke up he took Mary as his wife<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">This man was an <span style="color: #00b050;">obedient</span> man and quite prompt at it. Following instructions received, he got up and did the right thing making it easier for Mary who was already in an emotional state<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">As we celebrate this day, let us reflect on some of these attributes of this <span style="color: #4f81bd; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Joseph</span> whose adopted son eventually got to the Palace and sits on a throne where his dynasty never ends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">On the way to the Palace, </span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">we must be people who do take time to think before acting, communicate regularly with the Lord and be good students of the Word .Moreso our obedience must be prompt. These are attributes we have seen in the life of this <span style="color: #4f81bd; mso-themecolor: accent1;">other Joseph</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">In His Service,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">Grace Tom-Lawyer.</span></div>
flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-39303523652793344652017-01-01T23:19:00.001+00:002017-01-04T23:02:46.566+00:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!<img alt="Related image" height="233" src="https://www.shinetalks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/happy-new-year-2017-clipart.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">One of the things about the New Year
is there is a certain hope and contagious expectation with which most
people start a year. Somehow there is a new surge of faith that
says that the life that has been afforded is a divine sign that there is going
to be change for the better in the future. With this new surge, several people
start out with New Year resolutions that sadly do not last the first week of
the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">I was on a Radio show the other day
and one of the members of the panel said that New Year resolutions should be
scrapped! Perhaps she had seen enough failures at it but the truth most times
is that people sometimes set unrealistic expectations that are only doomed to
fail, leaving them paralysed with guilty feelings. At other times, the
resolutions have just been mere wishes with no concrete plans on how it would
be achieved. When I was in High school, one of the paintings on the central
building which we as students had to see daily was a quote by
Benjamin Franklin <b>“<i>If you fail to plan you plan to fail “ .</i><o:p></o:p></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Since I assume most people have made
their plans/goals/resolutions or currently making them, permit me
to add (just in case it is not already on your list ) that for this year, make
a resolution to be <b>more grateful.</b> It is a great way to not
only start the year but to continue the year. Be grateful to God and to people.
Most things God does for us happen through human agents and we should never
take this for granted. Always make a big fuss about what people do for you. Do
not take any little act of kindness for granted, I always tell myself people
are not obligated to do anything for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> Over the Christmas period,
I had the privilege of giving and receiving gifts from people. There were
varied responses to the gifts I gave. For some people, it seemed they just
managed to offer a polite Thank you and did not bother afterwards. For some
others, they did not only say the initial Thank you but got to their homes and
still sent Thank you messages. You sure do not need a prophet to tell you that
the latter group will be the first on my list next time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> Usually at the beginning of the
year, we are optimistic that <i>“<b>this is going to be the year</b></i>”
which gradually wanes down sadly and I do not just want this to be one of those
up and down years for you. If there is anyway I have learnt to remain cool calm
and collected, it is to <b>always always</b> look for reasons to be
grateful, specifically. This will keep you all year round. It is a top
secret tip for being a very attractive person and one people
would definitely want to be around. Let us be extremely deliberate
about gratitude for gratitude is an enhancer of relationships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">It is easy to start being
grateful,start as you wake up each day, take each as a gift from God and
watch out for little mercies along the way and be grateful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> On this note, I want to
say "<b>Happy New Year"</b> and a big <b>“Thank
you</b>” for following this blog and sharing with all your fans, friends and
family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Grace Tom-Lawyer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-58610330592138429552016-12-31T22:54:00.001+00:002017-01-01T23:15:53.506+00:00Last day/Better DaysWow, dear Readers<br />
I am really glad that we have finally been able to reach the last day of the year 2016 and what a year it has been for us.<br />
Sure , there were victories we enjoyed,several mountain top experiences unfortunately valley experiences, some tears have been shed and sometimes we were left confused but just as we are about to step into another time era, we choose to rememebr all those who did not make it to this day due to several reasons.<br />
Some did so naturally while others have had their lives snatched out by the vold hands of death using wars, accidnets, men of the underworld and name it, totally beyond their control but you and I are here today , for which we are extremely grateful<br />
Remmeber according to Gof's word, it can only get better. Ypour yestwerday is the soil on ehich the seeds of greatness for your fututre has been planted. And it is with this co fidence that I look at 2016 and laugh, no matter what the year has brought because I kbow and am persuaded of better days ahead.<br />
Happy New Year<br />
Grace Tom-Lawyerflourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-42332724335379068902016-12-25T23:59:00.001+00:002016-12-28T21:43:31.954+00:00Another Joseph <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">And so in this Christmas period,in keeping with the flow of the season but still in the spirit of our ongoing series, <span style="color: #ffc000;">On the Way to the Palace</span> I would like us to examine the life of one of the men in the most talked about family in this season. Although a lot of attention given to Mary and Jesus we sometimes forget the great role that <span style="color: #0070c0;">Joseph</span> played in the story. He is another <span style="color: #0070c0;">Joseph</span> whose son eventually got to the Palace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;">“Jacob</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;">was the father of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Joseph</b>, who was the husband of Mary. Mary was the mother of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Jesus</b>, who is called Christ”.- Matthew 1:16 <b>GW</b> God’s Word Translation <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“And <b>Jacob</b> begat <b>Joseph</b> the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ”.- Matthew 1 :16 KJV King James Version</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">We are first introduced to this Joseph as Matthew recounts the genealogy of Jesus..His father’s name was also Jacob, so we see him and his father being namesakes with our original Jacob who had twelve sons one of which was Joseph (Genesis 37:1-2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Now the birth of Jesus Christ was in this way: When His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. –Matthew 1:18 King James Version<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;">“This is how the birth of Jesus ·Christ<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="inline-note">[the Messiah]</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>came about. His mother Mary was ·engaged<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="inline-note">[pledged;</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="inline-note"><b><sup><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 12.4583px;">T </span></sup></b></span><span class="inline-note"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;">betrothed;</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;"> </span></span><span class="inline-note"><b><sup><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 12.4583px;">C </span></sup></b></span><span class="inline-note"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;">a formal agreement between families that required a “divorce” to annul]</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;">to marry Joseph, but before they ·married<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="inline-note">[came to live together]</span>, she ·learned she was<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="inline-note">[<i>or</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="inline-note">was found/discovered to be]</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>·pregnant<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="inline-note">[</span></span><span class="inline-note"><b><sup><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 12.4583px;">T </span></sup></b></span><span class="inline-note"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;">with child]</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">·by the power of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="inline-note">[through]</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the Holy Spirit”.-Matthew 1:18-Expanded Bible EXB</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">The very first thing we are told after that is that he was the husband of Mary and later verses tell us that Mary was espoused to him.In modern words they were engaged. This to me shows something admirable in his character. He was first engaged and eventually became a husband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">Joseph</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;"> was a man of commitment. He become engaged to one woman only; he was not the type that had five different sisters in different cities(some actually have five in thesame Church!) who were believing that they were in a relationship . He was definitely a man who followed through his commitments as he eventually became Mary’s husband in spite of all odds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;">Joseph</span></b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 14.95px;"> was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately.- Good News Translation GNT<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">The next thing we are told is that he is a just man and when the Bible declares a man to be just, we better take it as the truth. Although Jesus Christ had not yet come and people had not began to live by faith through Jesus ,<span style="color: #4f81bd; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Joseph</span> is decribed as “just” . Other translations describe him as “good”, “righteous”,”a man of stern principle”, ”honourable” .Ask any group of women to give some qualities they would want in a mate and these attributes are usually among the first to be listed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly”.-Matthew 1:19-Common English Bible CEB<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Joseph, because he was kind and upstanding and honorable, wanted to spare Mary shame. He did not wish to cause her more mbarrassment than necessary”.- Matthew 1:19 VOICE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Joseph ,the man she was to marry was a good man.He did not want her to be made ashamed .So he planned to leave her without telling people about it “-Matthew 1:19 Worldwide English WE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“And Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, <b>was minded to put her away privily”.(</b>emphasis mine)-Matthew 1:119 KJ21</span><b style="font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">Although this man is just, <span style="color: #4f81bd; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Joseph</span> is sensitive. He is sensitive to the feelings of Mary and just this little phrase alone <span style="color: #7030a0;">(..<i>minded to put her away privily..</i>...</span>)underscores volumes of how much he really loved her. His love was not just based on “as long as I marry you”. Yes she had done something that was outrageous and he was hurt, disappointed and felt betrayed, yet he did not think there was any need to put Mary through any further turmoil. In our day, he did not see the need to go to Facebook or send tweets on Twitter ranting about how disappointed he was and looking for cheap sympathy. Usually this would draw several biased comments from people who are not seeing the other side of the picture and only end up strengthening whatever hurt he may have felt or the need to soothe his ego.Sometimes the simple reason while we choose this course of action is the need for revenge but<span style="color: #4f81bd; mso-themecolor: accent1;"> Joseph</span> did not have any iota of this . He knew what the law demanded but he also knew he had the rights to execute mercy. He could not control what had happened but could definitely control his reactions. He did not leave his thoughts to dwell on his hurts but thought about what it would mean to the woman he loved .This was a man any woman would want any day, He was a protector.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">On the Way to the Palace</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">, we need to be people who can be trusted to follow through our commitments and we should not let our doing things right hinder us from being sensitive to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">Merry Christmas,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 14pt;">Grace Tom-Lawyer.</span></div>
flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-50766634625169366882016-12-18T12:18:00.000+00:002016-12-18T12:18:11.181+00:00On the Way to the Palace 18-The Pit 2<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; tab-stops: 103.6pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“ Now when Joseph reached his
brothers, they stripped him of his tunic ,the {distinctive } multicoloured
tunic which he was wearing<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>; <b>24 </b>then
they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty,there was no
water in it”- Genesis 37:23-24 AMP Amplified Bible</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">So
we see Joseph is thrown into a dry pit by his brothers and the very next verse
tells us that they sat down to eat food. It is very possible to be a few inches from where help is and encounter
no response. The action of Joseph’s brothers in this instance goes a long way
to show us how far jealousy and hatred had shut their minds against their
younger brother. Although they heard his pleas, they refused to listen and left
Joseph in a precarious situation in a bid to get rid of him and his dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Contrary
to popular opinion on how our lives should be, we see that the life of Joseph
,a man who eventually got to the Palace was not without trouble (Psalms 34:19). He was not
constantly always on Cloud 9.He had his ups and downs and honestly, that is
just life. Between every mountain top experience are valleys. It is one of these
valley experiences that we find here as Joseph encounters a pit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Joseph
is found in this pit because his brothers threw him inside. The man <span style="color: #ffc000;">on the way to the Palace</span> may encounter pits as a
result of the actions of others or even as a result of his own action. Some pit
situations may be self generated due to unwise decisions(Luke 15:11-32). It is important for the
man <span style="color: #ffc000;">on the way to the Palace </span>to distinguish
how he came about being in the pit as this may be a first step to coming out of
the pit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
second thing we see about the pit is that he is left alone by himself having
been stripped of his beloved coat and symbol of his father’s love. Physically
there is no one with him and emotionally, there is also a void. It is an age
long trick of the enemy while we are in the pit, to want us to believe we are
actually alone whereas the Scriptures make it clear that God never leaves
(physically ) or forsake us(emotionally ) Hebrews 13:5 .<span style="color: #ffc000;">On the
way to the Palace</span>, as we encounter several pits, it is of utmost
importance to remember we are never alone, irrespective of our external
circumstances. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The
third thing about Joseph in the pit is that we are made to understand is that
Joseph was not idle. He was not content to remain</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">in the pit thus </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">he lifted up his voice and cried, appealing to
his brothers to have mercy. It was certainly not a pit he could come out by
himself because if he could , he would have surely done so. But even his pleas
for mercy fell on deafened ears(Genesis 42:21). Joseph quickly found out that although help may
seem quite near, the only help we can really get is the help that comes from
God(Psalms 121:1),</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">The
man </span><span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">on the way to the Palace</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> would encounter
pits. These may come in different sizes, shapes and seasons. We generally do
not choose to enter a pit but sometimes we may by our actions bring pit
situations to ourselves. But whichever way we get into the pit, we must remember
that we are not alone. A conscious awareness of both the presence of God and
continual meditation of the word of GOD are indispensable for the man </span><span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">on the Way to the Palace</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">Yours Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">Grace Tom-Lawyer</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3676862268668767337.post-68090483308278126442016-12-01T23:30:00.001+00:002016-12-18T23:07:20.708+00:00Happy New Month <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><sup><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">6 </span></sup></b><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come, let’s worship and bow down!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let’s kneel before the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span>,
our maker!<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">7 </span></sup></b><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He is our God,<br />
</span><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and we are the people of his pasture,<br />
</span><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the sheep in his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If
only you would listen to his voice right now!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 95:6-7<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b>Common English Bible (CEB)</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">And so it appears that we have now arrived at the last month of the year
and what a year it has been. There have been many things that have happened
that even if the most respected prophet had foretold it, we would have still
had doubts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">On all fronts, family, career, nation or even the world there may have been things we never bargained
for but they have come and gone and we are still here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">This year, some of us have lost loved ones that we never thought would
happen in forty years, some by sickness and some have just been snatched away
by the cruel hands of death through road traffic accidents or men from the
underworld. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">But before we go on and on about what happened and did not happen, I
always like to sit back and say Lord we are grateful. A friend of mine for the
past 7 years or more always gives every day of the month of December to Thanksgiving. She
encourages us daily with something for us to be grateful for and if in this
last month of the year, you think you have nothing to Thank God, Thank God for
me, yes seriously but let me encourage you to Thank God first for yourself,
that you are alive and as long as you are alive, no matter what may be happening
today, according to God’s word, it will only get better, no matter how crazy it
may look now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;">Where am I getting that confidence from you may ask and I make it bold
to say it is purely because God’s word
says so(Proverbs 4:18).</span><span style="color: #548dd4; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">The
path of the righteous can only shine brighter and brighter like the dawning of
a new day.</span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14pt;"> No matter what is happening in the
world today, the dawn always breaks and the day goes brighter and if that has
not been broken, God’s covenant word over your life shall come to pass and with
that, I welcome you to December, the month we celebrate our saviour’s birth. Come,
let us bow and kneel before our Lord our maker, bring him your personal praise today
for He is indeed your personal God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">In His Service,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Grace Tom-Lawyer.</span>flourishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11098746545905715566noreply@blogger.com0