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RECAP NEWSLETTER - 5/22/4 Issue 8 In our Christian life, we can often lose focus of what our duty and requirements are as sons and heirs. Many today are running around trying to find purpose from a book that is not the Bible, and quotes from a multitude of men's perverted 'interpretations'. The Bible in several places succinctly and concisely tells us what God wants from us. He even words it in plain, easy-to-understand language. "What doth the LORD thy God require of thee?..." Fear the Lord thy God. Reverence, Respect, Awe. God is not a T-shirt slogan, or a buddy-buddy friend. Psalms 33:8 "Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him." Your attitude toward God, whether one of respect or unconcern, affects the rest of your life. Your requirements, purpose, responsibilities, etc. will be aimless without a proper fear of God. Walk in all His ways. Do not compromise. Do not excuse. Do not use your feelings as a guide - walk in all *His* ways. Not mine, not your pastors, not your elders, or deacons. His ways. Love Him. This is not a request, it is a command. It is a 'thou shalt' command. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Deuteronomy 11:1, Matthew 22:37). It takes deliberate attention and focus to keep our eyes, heart, mind, and soul focused on Christ. Just like a farmer plowing his fields in the olden days, in order to keep a straight line, he always looked forwards at a fixed point. As long as he moved toward that point, and kept his eyes on it, the furrows were straight. If he watched the birds, or daydreamed, the furrows would wander. Our Christian life is the same. If we do not pursue God as the pivotal point of everything in our life, we will wander. If we get distracted by sports, leisure, activities, etc., we can slowly get off course. Serve Him with all your heart and soul. We should not go to church, witness, help the fatherless, etc. just because it is our doctrine. We can learn volumes of doctrine. What is necessary is a connection from the heart to the head. We do not just serve Him solely because our head tells us that we are to - we serve Him with zeal because He is real in our life and heart!
Ecclesiastes 12:13 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear
God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS Facta Non Verba: Deeds, Not Words "The Sacred Text has none to fear so much as those who feel rather than think." Dean John Gurgon. This week would be an excellent opportunity for your pastor and church to find out what local companies may be sponsoring certain 'gay pride events' over the Memorial Weekend. Have everyone in your church call them and boycott them over their support. Also, your pastor can call them and tell them that they are speaking for x number of concerned local residents, etc. Hand out tracts at parks and other public areas. If you are uncertain about where you can and cannot pass out literature, etc., check out the links under Resources > Family > Legal.
CURRENT EVENT RECAP It is rather ironic that shortly after the Iraqi prison abuse scandal unfolded, the US wants to be exempt from the War Crime Court that is currently pending in the UN. That will certainly be used against us in the days ahead. Also, more evidence is coming out that the abuse is definitely more wide-spread, and that higher command involvement, permission, and knowledge were present. With the release of over four hundred additional detainees, fresh allegation are added to the list. An interesting article came up which postulated that when the US is dealt acts of 'terrorism' in the near future, other countries will less likely to lend assistance, as we have destroyed much of our foreign relations and goodwill. A recent poll in Iraq showed that resentment was growing toward Americans even before the prison scandal broke out. Many feel that we are ridding roughshod over their culture and customs, often with foreknowledge. One article even mentioned that this resentment has fostered a growing interest in Islam and the traditional Arab customs. Israel is garnering the world's ire with their treatment in Rafah and the Gaze area. Already the UN is seeking to denounce it. Look for future censorship and animosity to grow over this issue. Russia is increasingly popping up in the economic news as culling capital losses, and attaining their self-sufficient country goal. Vaccine-related news are also starting to pop up again. Hmmm....
REMINDERS Also, since many homosexual events will be held over the Memorial Day weekend, pray that God will hinder those events, and that we will have opportunities to shine as lights.
Do not live for this world - seek Christ first and highest of all.
May God richly bless,
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