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RECAP NEWSLETTER - 6/27/4 Issue 12 When all of the world seems against you, when even fellow Christians question the work you are doing for God, when others think they know what God's will for your life is, where do you find refuge? Perhaps your family does not understand why you are going off to Bible college, maybe friends do not understand why you take certain stands for truth, doctrine, and what God says. When people ask you "Why?", sometimes the only answer is "I know what God's Word says, and I must obey." The verses give voice to what can seem a response beyond vocalization. "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." (vs. 23) We may know the answer, but we cannot express it. Down deep throughout our heart and spirit, we KNOW that such-and-such is a commandment or principle that we must obey and follow, even at risk of friendships, employment, and even life. Action on our part produces peace in our heart that comes from Him dwelling in us. Verse 24 says, "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him." Why do you take a stand for Christ's commandments? Why do you "step out on a limb" when everyone else in church thinks you have gone 'extreme'? Perhaps you are thinking that even though nobody else understands why you are doing what you are doing, you have complete peace about it. You cannot explain it other than that it comes from doing what He asks. The next time someone asks why you have gotten all 'super-pious', or 'extreme' in your Christianity, perhaps the only answer is to show them I John 3:19-21. Do you have sure confidence toward God in what you are doing? Take rest in that if you are doing as He says, and in full confidence toward His commandments and promises, that He "abideth in us" (vs. 24) - Keep His commandments in full confidence, and abide in Him.
MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS
The following quote is from Charles Finney:
ADDED RESOURCES
CURRENT EVENT RECAP This week marked various events to 'celebrate' homosexual awareness. All over our world, parades and marches are taking place to dare God to judge. It is interesting that the vast majority of the events are taking place to commemorate historic homosexual precedents that took place in 'Christian' America.
Canada: One million - A weeklong festival celebrates the birth of the gay
rights movement in NY, 1969. Will be running an AIDs campaign that
basically uses homosexual pornography to (according to critics)
desensitize the public to homosexual behavior and culture." We are already in the days of Lot and Noah. The sad note is that 'religion' has been a convenient medium to salve people's conscience in the matter. Unscrupulous 'clergy' preside over ceremonies and preach 'love' so broad that it covers sin. Now that the debacle in Mass. has occurred, many American 'christians' are "curiously quiet even though a majority oppose gay marriage." In terms of salt, they are absolutely worthless.
In national matters... With the intense international opposition, the US really had no choice but to drop the demand for an exemption from the World Court. It is interesting that Annan points out that the only forces that are exempt are personnel "related to a U.N.-authorized operation." That means that since the Iraq War was started without permission from the UN, our troops could fall under the auspices, if it is deemed that our court system does not or fails to address the situation in a timely manner and consistent with the Geneva Accords. With the cascading violence in Iraq, many are starting to question how effective our supposed 'progress' has been in that country. With the reasons for the war quickly eroding away, even South Korea has urged the US to "share more intelligence on North Korea to ensure there is no repeat of what is said was the flawed information that led to war in Iraq." And we in America wonder why the Iraqis see us a occupiers, not liberators. I do hope you consider which political party/individual you are aligning yourself with. It is my concern that it may be dangerous to align yourself with Bush (if you are 'picking the lesser of the two evils'). With the decay of credibility relating to justification of war with Iraq (and even 911), because he touts himself as a fundamental Christian, any trouble that he gets into darkens your testimony. Unabashed support for someone who conjured up dubious reasons to invade another country does not go well for a testimony for Christ. I have it easy, I am neither for Republican or Democrat in this election. Since both are self-acknowledged members of the Satanic cult Skull and Bones, (and even just on that account), I am against both.
REMINDERS Also, I am in the middle of a situation right now that involves my employment. Pray that the Lord will continue to meet my needs and that He will get the glory through it all.
Do not live for this world - seek Christ first and highest of all.
May God richly bless,
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