Dark Night of the Soul

Dark night of the Soul was coined in the 1500’s by St. John of The


Cross, to describe times of pain and abandonment. I keep thinking this

is not a Christmas eve sermon, but I think there are many tonight

who see the future as bleak. I think some tonight feel them have been

abandoned by God.

The time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to

her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a

manger,because there was no room for them in the inn.Luke 2:6,7

Some of the saddest words on earth are: “We don’t have room for you.”

Can you imagine how devastated Mary was when she heard the news

there is No Room in the Inn for you?

On Christmas Eve I also think on the Mothers of Ramah. Rememer

them? When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the

Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in

Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in

accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then

what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A

voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel

weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because

they are no more.”[g] The birth of Jesus brought them great loss,

for some!

Remember there are numerous broken hearts on Christmas eve. For

many battling the loss of a loved one the holiday season is a dark night

for the soul also. Not sure why, but during the holiday season is

highest rate of suicides, depression and domestic violence. For many

the ole Merle Haggard song is true if we can make it thru December. . .

Just like the birth of a child yes there are birth pangs but afterward

comes the joy of a baby. For some of you if you can make it through

the next week you will see the joy of a new year.

One dark period of my life, I have not forgotten is the calling to leave

a ministry I loved and be exiled toOklahoma! The place God was calling

us to was as hard as the red clay beneath this small Oklahoma town.

The hearts of the people were as black as the oil they drilled. They

were proud they had harbored the fugitive Pretty Boy Floyd and all

sorts of illegal activity down thru the years.

The church was very welcoming to us, we had a good Sunday. A couple

invited us back to their house for dinner. They had one child about the

age of our two kids, and Jennifer was carrying Jacob at the time.

After dinner the kids asked if they could play outside, the couple side

sure, but stay out of the back yard there is an abandoned swimming

pool.

I had to preach that night, so I needed to find a quiet place to

prepare. I left the house and maid my way to the minimart but it was a

bustle of activity. So I took a drive trying to gather my thoughts

trying to find a place where I could sit and work. Of all things I ended

up at a historic Cemetery of early Oklahoma pioneers. The historical

marker was fascinating, it chronicled many of their struggles but

made the point that for most of the pioneers they lost over half of

their children! Because of this they loved hymns like When we all get

to heaven. As I read this, I can not explain it, but the Holy Spirit, My

Instinct told me something as terribly wrong and to get back to the

house-Now!

As I turned to last corner before the house I could see their

whole driveway filled with emergency vehicles. I began to run and got

there just as they put my little Ashley in the ambulance with an oxygen

mask on. My wife was hysterical and all I could get from the throng is

she had fallen in the pool. I held my sobbing wife as we prepared to

leave in ambulance, and the story came out in sobs. They were

taking a nap and the Zach and the other boy came running in screaming

that Ashley had fallen into the pool. The adults attempted to go out

the back but the door was locked so they had to go around the front of

the house. They could not see Ashley the pool water was too murky,

mossy and gunky, but then they saw bubbles surface. Our guest

jumped into the muck and used his feet find Ashley. When he handed

Ashley to Jennifer she was not breathing. Jennifer seven months

pregnant fell on her knees getting her out of the pool, stayed on her

knees administrating CPR until Ashley started coughing up black nasty

water!!

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the

goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little

child will lead them. Is 11:6 This messianic prophecy from Isaiah,

comes to mind when I think of this dark night. In a small way I

experienced how a Child can lead the sinful to repentance. By the time

we made to Children’s hospital in Tulsa, the whole congregation had

congregated in the Emergency room and were down on their knees

praying! Revival had broken out because of a threat to an innocent

child! The time we spent with the people of that town, we would

never again experience such sincere faith and prayers!

The Xrays confirmed there was a large amount of water in

Ashley’s lungs. The congregation brought food for us, prayed for us

and called our family. Took care of Zach as if he was their own child!

By the time the sun had risen the next morning their was a buzz in the

Er, the doctors and nurses Kept asking where did all the water go?

Why does she not have pneumonia from all the bacteria infected

water? The dark night had turned to Glorious day that lit up God! By

noon we were headed back north, by sundown exhausted, we pulled over

and found a motel. Ashley threw a fit because we would not let her

swim in the pool! A dark night had turned into laughter. A dark night

had brought us Christmas early!

Some of the saddest words on earth are: “We don’t have room

for you.” Jesus knew the sound of those words. He was still in Mary’s

womb when the innkeeper said, “We don’t have room for you.” … And

when he was hung on the cross, wasn’t the message one of utter

rejection? “We don’t have room for you in this world.” How dark those

times must have been for Jesus. Even today Jesus is given the same

treatment. He goes from heart to heart, asking if he might enter.…

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. Revelation 3:20

Every so often, he is welcomed. Someone throws open the door of

his or her heart and invites him to stay. And to that person Jesus gives

this great promise: … “In my father’s house are many rooms.” … What a

delightful promise he makes us! We make room for him in our hearts,

and he makes room for us in his house. I am not certain of the dark

night you are facing, but I am certain Jesus want to walk with you

though it together!

God want’s to take your darkness and brighten it with his Glory. God

want’s to turn you sadness into laughter. This Christmas would you

invite Jesus into your heart? If this is your decision come up front as

we stand to sing!

Drive into 2012

Our 2006 Ford Freestar has reached the end of the road. It has over 160,000 miles, on the

odometer. I am not sure how many times it has gotten stuck in Elbert County roads.

Cannot begin to tell you the number of Drive thru mishaps have occurred over the five year

we have had the vehicle. Recent repair estimates made the tea leaves are clear, we need a

new car.

So I started to notice these End of the Year Car Adds push pull and drag into our lot and

we will give you $5000 for your car. What is the old saying if it’s too good to be true, it is.

I am not sure how the fleecing occurs, but I am certain if you have to tow a vehicle into a

used car dealership for a trade in, they will get the better end of the deal! Common sense

tells you that if your car is drivable, it is worth more than if it’s dead on arrival. Common

sense tells us all if we are able to control and drive our own life it is worth more, than

always being towed by the circumstances of life.

January I start a series I call D.R.I.V.E. The idea behind the series is if we develop a little

self-leadership and take control of our life then the coming year will bring glory to God!

The older I get the more I realize how easy it is too drift thru life with no purpose or

direction. Resolutions have been proven time and time again a failure, but driving in a

direction towards a goal is always beneficial. It has been said before; “aim for the moon

and land in the stars. That’s the idea behind driving our life in a godly direction for 2012.

Drive stands for. . .D.evotion to God, R.eadiness for lifelong learning, I.nvest in

key relationships, V.ision for the future, E.ating and excercising and S.erves. If we focus

the next 12 months in this general direction, I am certain we will grow more like Christ.

End of the year resolutions to make next year better by pushing, pulling and dragging self

into a new habit with no commitment, cost or change of character on your part is a farce.

But we see it every day, just take this supplement, no exercise required and lose thirty

pounds. Come into our free seminar and learn how to dump your debt without any change

in lifestyle on your part! Get six pack abs by simply putting the new slimming belt on! You

know the promises are false, and yet we often buy what the infomercials are selling!

Better off entering the New Year by taking control and driving into it! Better yet making a

commitment, change and paying the cost to allow God to control and drive you in the

coming year!

God never offers a fix your life in five easy steps, but a path towards righteousness.

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21

Please, join us for Januarys’ sermon series as we begin the drive into 2012

Merry Christmas!

One of my favorite movies of all time is Back to Future with

Michael J Fox. The gist of the movies is The film tells the story of

Marty McFly, a teenager who is accidentally sent back in time from

1985 to 1955. He meets his future-parents in high school and

accidentally attracts his future mother's romantic interest. Marty

must repair the damage to history by causing his parents-to-be to fall

in love, and with the help of scientist Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown, he must

find a way to return to 1985. This movie has caused me to contemplate

if history were to change, what would the future be like?

Have you ever asked if Jesus had not been born; what would

today be like?

First, the value of mankind would be vastly different. Slavery of women only began to

change under the influence of Christian Missionaries. If you are a woman, without

Christ you may still have had no rights today. Doubt this, then look at many African

and Islam cultures where Christ influence is less. Instead of watching football this

Christmas would we be watching life and death cage fighting? A fifth

century monk is credited with ending, the gladiators.

Second , can you imagine what the world would be like without the following minds?

What would music have evolved to without the Christian minds of Handel, Vivaldi and

Bach? If that is a little too much ancient history, did you know a primary influence on

Rock and Roll is Gospel music?

How different would science be without the great minds of Keppler, Boyle, Pascal,

Pasteur, Newton, and numerous others.

How boring would the world be without these great writers, Chesterton, Augustine,

C.S. Lewis, Dostoevsky, and Dickens?

What I am most concerned about without Christ there would be no Santa Clause.

Because, Santa Clause was birthed from the life of Christian Saint Nicholas. There will

be some who will attempt to take Christ out of Christmas; do they really know what

they are asking for? C.S. Lewis Wrote they would be asking for “Always winter, but

never Christmas.” The best response to those who wish to take Christ out of Christmas

is to prayerfully wish them a Merry Christmas!

Be God’s

Roger Miller

Sorcery

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For

the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these

are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh

are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities,

strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying,

drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I

have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the

kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:16-21 NASB

In this list of sins there is one sin I want to talk about today and that is sorcery. You may

Ask what does sorcery have in common with these habitual sins? . I believe all these sins

put you into bondage that eventually destroys us! The truth that sets us free from these

sins is self-control I also believe sorcery is alive and well under a different name illegal

drug use.

When the word is spoken, image s of witches and wizards come to mind and of course

Halloween. Harry Potter and his adventures have put sorcery back in the news today.

Previous generations it was the show Bewitched! Galatians 5;19,20 Make clear that

Sorcery is a sin! So what is sorcery? Why is it a sin? What would it have to do with me?

Sorcery not a word that we hear every day!  Sorcery: Magic; enchantment; witchcraft;

divination be the assistance of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits

(Webster's) Sorcery, therefore, is the reliance on black arts or other forms of

supernatural insight or ability, and not a reliance on God . Magic tricks, which generally

involve illusion but not substance, are not really under discussion here.

Sorcery at it’s heart is the giving up of one’s self control to be in bondage to anything

involving forces other than God! Voodoo, magic spells, witchcraft in any form, including

Tarot card reading, psychic readings, séances also represent sorcery. Astrological

readings also, including horoscopes, also involve reliance on forces other than God

What is the big deal?

Most normal people find my opposition to such practices to be a little weird. I have had

many say to me, “What's the harm?” after all, it’s just a "little fun", with horoscopes and

psychic readings? It really is a good question.

From beginning to end in the Bible God has made clear there is only one God. Exodus

34:14 says; Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a

jealous God.

Sorcery does represent a concern and a threat, and should not be taken as lightly as it is!

The Bible makes it clear that our trust and confidence is to be in God alone Sorcery,

therefore, is no light matter, and is to be thoroughly avoided!

But what’s under the surface to Sorcery ? The Greek word provides an additional

concept we should consider. Gal 5;20 we read earlier the : Greek word for sorcery is

pharmakeia (pharmacy). Thayers Lexicon says; the use or the administering of drugs;

poisoning; sorcery,magical arts" (Thayer's) How do drugs fit into sorcery? We must

consider the healing profession in the ancient world While we today would separate

the scientific study of medicine from the black arts practices of "witch doctors", that

distinction was not kept in the ancient world.

The same doctor who would perform surgeries or give out medicine would also make

incantations to various gods or use magic or other black arts to effect a cure. They

would also use drugs to fall into a catatonic state under the control of spirits for a vision

or formula for healing.

When Paul used the word Sorcery his audiences sees some one using drugs to come

under the power of the spirits. Maybe, this can begin to help you see how Sorcery is

related to illegal use of Drugs.

As is well known, many drugs are consumed not for medical benefit but for recreational

purposes. We must understand there is a place and time for doctor prescribed

medications, because God uses that for our healing. But the truth is most use of

marijuana, cocaine, heroin, PCP, methamphetamines, crystal methadone, LSD, ecstasy,

opium, and abuse of prescription medications are to get high not to heal. The drugs are

enjoyed for "highs" and the ability to escape from the problems of life.

With the use of the Greek Word Pharmica it links sorcery and drug use-as a way we

trust or enjoy powers and forces other than God!

Be God's
 
Roger

A Bloody Popsicle

Sin and the destruction it brings, reminds me of the story of how Eskimos dealt with

wolves who killed their livestock. They would capture a rabbit or some other small game

and drain their blood. They would take a razor sharp double edged knife dip it into the

blood and then freeze it. By repeating this process numerous times, they would freeze

layer upon layer of animal blood around the deadly blade. In essence a blood popsicle

on a knife.

Then the villagers would take the knife to the outskirts of the village, where the wolves

had been active, and secure the blade on a stick. During the night, when a wolf would

come and smell the blood, he’d start licking and licking. As the wolf would lick away on

the bloodsicle, his tongue would become numb. So as his taste for blood would grow his

lust would cause him to lick faster and faster down and down to the razor sharp blade.

But by this time, because his tongue was so numb from the cold, he wouldn’t feel it as

the blade started slashing his tongue. In fact, what happens the taste of his own blood

would cause him to lick even faster.

By the time the wolf would figure out what was happening it was too late. His tongue

shredded and bleeding profusely, he’d wonder off and bleed to death! (Weird Craig
Groeschel)

Galatians 5:16-21 NASB says; But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out

the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit

against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do

the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions,

factions,  envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn

you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not

inherit the kingdom of God.

Every one of these sins are a bloody popsicle sin! So what is normal in our society? 90%

of children between 8 and 16 have viewed Pornography online. Pornography use to be a

problem that affected men predominantly, now 1/3 of adult web sites are visited by

women. In 2009, a total of 650,843 young people aged 10–24 years were treated

in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries sustained from assaults. Nearly three out

of four (74%) of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of

domestic violence. Approximately 92% of U.S. adults who drink excessively report

binge drinking in the past 30 days.2 Although college students commonly binge drink,

70% of binge drinking episodes involve adults age 26 years and older. Some of the

results of excessive drinking are poverty, health problems from Heart issues to children

born with fetal alcohol Syndrome. Do you really want to be normal? Can you really say

you want to be In bondage to this sins?

Be God's

Roger Miller

Steps

You shine faithfully upon my life, but you cannot and will not take the steps for me-it is I who must walk in your way and become the expression for our will. Celtic Daily Prayer Oct 18 Pg 527

Does the previous statement seem a little harsh? Does it almost seem heretical that God will not do for you what you should do?

It did to me as well until I remembered the creation of man. God gave man free will, telling him all steps were allowed except the eating of the forbidden fruit. We all know how that ended, but God did not take Adam’s choice of self-destruction away from them. We recently studied the story of the rich young ruler. Jesus (God in the Flesh) genuinely liked the young man, but allowed the man to walk away from salvation! On judgment day each of us will be rewarded or punished according to the steps we have
chosen.

That God allows man to walk his way, has a lot of consequences for each of us. A group of believers can help us grow, but they cannot make us grow! It means that for servants helping others, the ones being helped may reject the truth and hurt themselves! What it comes down to is God holds us accountable for the truth we teach and the steps we take-not what others do!

Paul said it this way; Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling Ph 2:12. Just know I am praying that we all have the courage to take the steps God has given this day!

Be God’s

Roger

Image

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he
created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
This is an easy verse to understand but the depth of it’s
meaning is as deep as the universe.

Consider just the depth of the Hebrew word for Image Selem
the most common definition in the Old Testament is to be
cut off as if in carving a block of wood into an idol.
2Kings 11:18 Idols). In modern spoken Hebrew, the related
noun sillum is a photograph. In the Psalms Image is used
as a mere facade or the semblance of a person. Ps 39:6 says;
Man is a mere phantom (Selem) as he goes to and fro: He
bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth,
not knowing who will get it.

There are also hints in the Old Testament that God and
man share this image. That this image is more than us
walking about as two legged memorials to our creator.
This is where many scholars go down rabbit trails of
theological thought, what that image means. For example,”
like God” means we are moral beings like God! That like
God, we cancreate and procreate and that we have an
inherent of goodness just like our creator.

Believe me the metaphor Image is simple, but it is like
still water that runs very deep!

Can it be? Can it be that all of us alike--the saints,
the sinners, the gifted, the less gifted, Christians,
Muslim terrorists, atheists--are in some limited way
"clones of God," who, to those who have eyes to see,
display God's Image? Fiction writer William Kent Krueger
in his novel Iron Lake says this of man; “A man was never
just a man. A man was endless possibility waiting to become.

The created world will be full of mysteries until the
day we go home. I am certain that until we see Jesus
we will have puzzles of image.

But one thing it must mean is we are an endless
possibility waiting to become! There is possibility
in man for great good and great evil! Great selfishness
and selflessness.

Our possibilities rightly used are to make us a
straight arrows pointing to our creator! How are you
going to utilize your possibility?

Be God’s
Roger Miller

Lost

Have you ever lost something you were unable to recover? Just an old
yellowed and faded photo of a boy, just home from fishing! The house
behind is white and ramshackle. The boy is only five or seven with a
goofy grin holding a small catfish. He is wearing a olive drab hat
and is shirtless, wearing blue shoes encrusted with mud.

I can see my mother handing me the snapshot, but have been
unable to locate it. I have even dreams about what box, I may find it
in. I am beginning to worry the pic is a figment of my imagination.
If it was not developed by Kodak, it is kept in my thoughts as a Kodak
moment.

Maybe, that why I drove over a thousand miles in two days. Maybe
that’s what prompted a late night fishing trip. Maybe, that whoever we
meet, that is from the past generates excitement. Maybe, that is
how it is so awkward to say goodbye.

Frustrating as it is, there are some things lost in this life, we will
never be able to recover. The peace we had before we lost control.
The sin that will not go back in the Jeanie’s bottle. The sharp knife of
a short life! The relationship we did not nurture.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Ps 90:12

Daniel 9:20-24

DANIEL 8
THE MOST FASCINATING PROPECY IN THE BIBLE!
DANIEL CHAPTER 9:20-27
Roger Miller July 31 2011

Sadly; there are millions of people you who do not believe that the Bible is
literally the God’s revelation to man for his salvation. One reason to study
the whole book of Daniel, is it is one of the best evidences that the Bible is
the word of God. I am confident if the most hardened skeptic would only
study this one prophecy in Daniel 9 objectively he/she would agree this
pericope is from God!

Even though it is one of the best evidence of God’s hand in revelation, because
it is from God it is very difficult passage for man to understand. Edward J. Young
describes it as "one of the most difficult in all the OT, and the interpretations
which have been offered are almost legion. Stuart says that "it would require a
volume of considerable magnitude even to give a history of the ever-varying and
contradictory opinions that have been offered" With such a difficult passage
before us, we should ... Approach it with humility, and not dogmatically. Remember
your salvation is not dependent on your understanding of Daniel 9. I would also
urge us to not draw conclusions that would contradict clear teachings of
Scripture .

1. During a Time of Prayer Daniel 9:20-23

While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people
Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill— 21 while I
was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to
me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me
and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and under-
standing. 23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have
come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the
message and understand the vision:

The nineteen verses that precede these verses make it clear that Daniel
had been studying the scroll of the prophet Jeremiah, specifically Jeremiah 25:11
Which says; This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these
nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. As Daniel studies this
verse he realizes the seventy years is up and prays that God would keep his word
and send his people home.

Notice the basis of Daniels prayer was a plea for mercy, not for help, because he
knew that his people deserved God’s wrath and punishment. God sends his help, not because we deserve it, but because he wants to show great mercy. If God would
refuse to help us because of our sin, how could we complain? But when he sends
mercy instead of the punishment we deserve, how can we withhold our praise and
thanksgiving? Sometimes; we wrongly think idolatrous thoughts such as; God exists for my well being. Remember he is our creator, we were created for his pleasure.

Our prayers of help need to be grounded in mercy and putting God first!
Daniel receives more than he prayed for, isn’t that the way of our Heavenly Father? God will keep his word to send Israel home, but he sends the Angel Gabriel to answer his prayer and is given a victorious vision of God’s people over centuries! Truly God does not treat us as our sins deserve!

Gabriel was the angel provided explanation to Daniel regarding the vision of the ram and the goat (Dan 8:16), now proceeds to give details concerning what is to follow in the future of God’s people. Interestingly; The Hebrew and Greek words for angels originally mean messenger. These messengers in Scripture can be humans but most often are spiritual beings to help God’s Children. Listen to Hebrews 1:14; “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? “ What’s amazing about this is it implies our prayers as God’s children activate the angels of heaven into action! Keep Praying-Keep begging for God’s mercy!

2.THE VISION OF SEVENTY DANIEL 9:24

Seventy ‘sevens’[c] are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish[d]
transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in
everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the
most holy.

A. WEEKS?

If you have the NIV you will see right after the word Seventy-Sevens in quotes
with a textual note. If you have the KJV or the NASB it will read Seventy weeks.
So back to the NIV if you look at the note at the bottom of your bible it should
explain that . The word "weeks" in Hebrew is actually "sevens". So the best
translation would be to say; seventy Weeks. What does this mean? First, a week
means a unit of seven, just as a there are seven days in a week. Within the text it
means there are seventy units of seven or 490 days or units of time that Gabriel is
explaining to Daniel and us through the bible.

Most Bible student agree Daniel 9:4 likely refers to "weeks", but weeks of
what? 1)Possibility is that Weeks of days? Then it would be Prophecy 490
days into the future Few believe this to be the case, because it is a little
over a year and a half for all the prophecy to come true this is too little
time for all the prophecy to be fulfilled plus it fits no historical events.

Because every time frame of this passage has strengths and weaknesses, every
one to some extent interprets this passage figurative. The most widely held
belief is that each week represents a year, this means according to the Roman
calendar it would be 490 years. This is my view of the prophecy, and the
starting point I will use to flesh the passage out.

The weakness of this view is the Jews used a lunar calendar (360 days/yr), so
it would be 483 years according to our calendar. Many suggest this to be the
answer, but it is also not without difficulty. It’s problem is historical
landmarks are not where they should be. Some hold to the view The weeks are
years but not complete years. Those who hold to this teach it may just refer
to seventy complete periods of time. And each week may not be equivalent in
time (i.e.,one "week" may be longer than other "weeks") The weakness of this
is it seems to contradict the context of Gabriel’s giving exact periods of
time! Let me finish this point by saying: the time line is not as important
as what happens during the Seventy Sevens. But before we look into this, I
will give you the timeline we are going to work off of!

7 Weeks 49 Yrs 62 Weeks 434 YRS 31/2 3 1/2
l____________l_____________l__________t______________l_
Edict Jewish Jesus Min Christ Gospel
to Ezra Com restored begins is cut off taken to Gentiles
458 BC 409 BC 26 AD off 30 AD Gentiles 33 AD

Let’s fill in the details from the periscope of Daniel 9, to see what God has done.

1. Amazing Prophecy because it predicts when Israel Restored!

First, the Messiah would not come till Jerusalem would be Restored. Look at verse
25; “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree[f] to restore
and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One,[g] the ruler, comes, there will
be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a
trench, but in times of trouble.

At least three possible decrees may serve as the start of the 70 "weeks"
1) The decree of Cyrus (539-538 BC) In the first year of Cyrus king of
Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the
LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation
throughout his realm and to put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus king of
Persia says: “‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of
the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in
Judah. 3 Anyone of his people among you—may his God be with him, and let
him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God
of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And the people of any place where
survivors may now be living are to provide him with silver and gold, with goods
and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in
Jerusalem.’” Ezra 1:1-4

If one starts here, then the 70 weeks could not be 490 literal years, for
that would place the end of the 70 weeks around 55 B.C. (much too early)
The appeal of using this decree as the starting point 1] It is the most well-
known decree regarding the restoration of Israel 2] It was given about the
time Daniel received his vision of the 70 weeks This decree is preferred by
many who do not hold to a literal 490 years such as(Young, Harkrider,
McGuiggan.)

2) The decree of Artaxerxes (458 BC) Now I decree that any of the Israelites
in my kingdom, including priests and Levites, who wish to go to Jerusalem with
you, may go. 14 You are sent by the king and his seven advisers to inquire
about Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the Law of your God, which is in
your hand. Ezr 7:13-14

This decree was to allow Ezra to restore the Law and its worship. Starting
here, 490 Julian years or the calendar we use, the prophecy would end the 70
weeks around 33 A.D. But 490 lunar years end the 70 weeks around 26 A.D.
seven years too early.

3) The second decree of Artaxerxes (445-444 BC) - cf. I also said to him, “If
it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates,
so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I
have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so he will give me timber
to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city
wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of
my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. Neh 2:7,8

For Nehemiah to build the city and walls. If you Start here, with 490 lunar
years end the 70 weeks around 38 A.D. This would place the start of the 70th
week near the beginning of Jesus' public ministry (ca. 30 A.D.)There are
problems with the first 7 weeks ending around 396 B.C., which some contend is
too late for the restoration of the city.

Each starting date has its problems, but I lean towards decree ofArtaxerxes
in 458 B.C. as the start for this prophecy. More Importantly notice how out Heavenly Father treats his children, notice Israel is rebuilt in troubled times. God does not spoil his children, He is always faithful in his promises but requires us to work with him to bring about the Change our Heavenly Father wants.

2. Amazing Prophecy because it predicts when Israel’s Messiah would come!

Daniel 9:26,27 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off
and will have nothing.[h] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the
city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until
the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with
many for one ‘seven.’[i] In the middle of the ‘seven’[j] he will put an end to
sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him

According to this verse Jesus would come in another 62 weeks. And as we have
already pointed out 62 times seven means 434 years. Add 434 on to 408 B.C. and
what is the result? 26 AD. This is important because that is the exact year that
Jesus Christ was baptized and began his Ministry. Think of that Gabriel gives
Daniel a glimpse almost 500 years in the future. How would you like to guess what
is going to happen 434 years into the future! Yet God knew in advance every event;
that would lead to the first coming of Jesus!

Daniel and the deported Jews needed this prophecy to assure them God is still on
the Throne and he still has the whole world in hand! After the last book as written
in the New Testament, there was almost 500 years of silence from God. Those
saints needed this message, so they would know that it was God not man using the
Meade’s and Persians to rebuild Jerusalem, That it would be God, who would use
the Greeks to give us a worldwide trade language so all could understand God’s
revelation and the Romans so all would hear about Jesus! We need it because we
get blasé about Christ second coming. Look at this Prophecy and know God kept his word and sent Jesus the first time-Know That Jesus is coming soon! We must be
ready, each day his second coming draws closer!

3. Amazing Prophecy of What God would do in seven Years we need to return

to Verse 24 Seventy ‘sevens’[c] are decreed for your people and your holy city
to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring
in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the
most holy.

Understand Premilleniall dispensationalist place the last 7 years Just Prior to the
Second Coming of Christ because this is a prophecy to the Jews so the church age
does not count. For me this is poor scriptural interpretation, because there is no
indication in the text that God intends this split of thousands of years. Let’s zero
in on What Jesus Came to do!

A. To Finish Transgression
Those who insist this is a ends times message, make this a literal ending of all sin.
But if you would lay out five of the most accurate Bible Translations The KJV,
NASB, ESV, NIV and RSV you would find that scholars who have spend their whole
life on translating this passage, their emerges several possible interpretations and
the least favored is the literal ending of all sin. In fact the marginal reading in the
NASB has "restrain" for finish. The idea is that Messiah Jesus would provide a
restraining power and influence which would check the progress of sin (Barnes),
until his return when sin is done away for all eternity.

Most translations link the word transgression to God’s People and God’s City.
NLT gives maybe the best insight into the passage when it states; “and your holy
city to finish their rebellion.” Daniel 9:24 NLT.

Older commentaries on this passage interpret this as the cup of iniquity would be
filled to the brim when Israel would reject their messiah Jesus! (Butler Daniel
college Press) There would be not greater sin than rejecting the Messiah sent to
save you. Matt 23:32 in the Amplified puts it this way: “Fill up, then, the
measure of your fathers' sins to the brim [so [a]that nothing may be
wanting to a full measure.” It is scary and hard to understand that we can sin to
the point of no-return-but it also makes sense that if only heavens Savior can save
us and we reject him, then we have put a whole in our life raft. Do not reject
Jesus, instead cling to him and be saved!

B. Put an End to Sin

The phrase Put an end to sin – may mean to take away sin, bring sin to final
judgment or seal up sin. The sealing up sin would be similar to locking it in prison.
Sin is removed and caused to be ineffective. Every one of these meaning is
fulfilled on the Cross of Jesus Christ; listen to Paul in Romans 3:21-26 NLT But
now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the
requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses[a] and the
prophets long ago.We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus
Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet
God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this
through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For
God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God
when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This
sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish
those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them
in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his
righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be
right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

C. Atone for Wickedness

The words Gabriel uses would bring back memories to Daniel of the blood being
sprinkled on the mercy seat, depicting the people’s sins being covered (Lev. 16:15,
16), but that ritual on the Day of Atonement was only a temporary appeasement
(Rom. 3:25). The Redeemer’s death is a permanent removal, and the Lord is
justified in expiating the iniquities of the faithful because the Son’s blood was
shed.

Most religions require specific duties that must be performed to make a person
acceptable to a god. Christianity is unique in that no good deed that we do will make us right with God. No amount of human achievement or personal goodness will close the gap between God’s moral perfection and our imperfect daily performance. This is Why only God can atone for sin; Only the perfect Lamb of God-Jesus could pay for our sins! Have you trusted in what Jesus did for you on Calvary?

D. Bring Everlasting Righteousness
There are parts to righteousness, one is called imputed righteousness, there is
righteousness God declares we have, but we do not merit. So we are righteous in
God’s eyes not because of what we have done, but because we have the
righteousness of Christ thru faith! Second; we have what I call practicing
righteousness, there are works that are prompted by out of faith and love for
Jesus. This is what Ephesians 2:10 NLT means; For we are God’s masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he
planned for us long ago.

One reason why the Jews were rejected as a nation is found in the fact that they
did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish
their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Romans 10:3 We are
no different than Israel we are not saved by our own works, but the righteous
works of Jesus Christ! Let us all say with faith out loud Romans 10:4 Christ is
the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who
believes.

E. Seal up Prophecy
I believe without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the end, the fulfillment
of all OT prophecy and he will be the Amen at the second coming! This what Paul
was getting at in 2 Corinthians 1:20 when he writes For no matter how many
promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the
“Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. All of God’s promises of what the
Messiah would be like are fulfilled in Christ (“he is the divine Yes”). Jesus
was completely faithful in his ministry; he never sinned (1 Peter 3:18); he
faithfully died for us (Hebrews 2:9); and now he faithfully intercedes for us
(Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14-15). Because Jesus Christ is faithful, Paul
wanted to be faithful to Jesus, just as our obedience should be based on our
love for Jesus!

F. Anoint the Holy One
The anointing of the messiah or God’s Holy one occurs without a definite
article meaning it is not a place but a thing. Literally it should read the
anointing of Holiness of Holiness. Peter confirms this is fulfilled in Jesus
during the first Century when he preached to the centurion saying: You know what
has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that
John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit
and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under
the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:37,38.

CONCLUSION: Daniel 9 is the most amazing prophecy of scripture. It is
precise on when the Messiah would come and what he would do when he came.
One day, all of the prophecies that are about his second coming will come
true as well. That is why Jesus warns us in 25:13; Therefore keep watch, because
you do not know the day or the hour. Are you ready for Jesus to come back
right now? Have you accepted him as Lord and Savior? Have you put on the
righteousness of Christ? Galatians 3:26-29 tells us how; You are all sons of God
through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave
nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you
belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the
promise. You can know the fulfillment of Daniel 9 by coming in contact with the
blood of Jesus at baptism.

Cheap Poultry Weeder

In my area on Craigslist their is people who are always redoing their deck, so they

are always looking for someone to cart off their scrap wood. So all the supplies

except the screws and Chicken wire were free. I began by removing all the nails and

cutting out all the bad wood for firewood.

I use a rototiler in my garden so I have 30" wide rows, so I made the width of the

frame 28" and my length was 10' long. So I cut 2 10' long 3x6's and screwed them

into 2 28" 3x6 and this is my bottom frame. Then I cut 8 3x6 30" long and screwed

them into the bottom frame. Then I cut two 10' 3x6 and then put a pilot screw so I

could level the boar as I anchored them to the sides. Then enclosed the ends with a

3x6 to fit. I then put chicken wire on the top and sides, leaving the bottom open so

the poultry can weed. The last step was I used the banisters from the deck for

handles to the weeder, so you can move the weeder about. Nesting boxes, doors

and wheels can be added later as the materials become available.

Roger

PRAYERFUL 4TH OF JULY

We celebrate 4th of July to remember the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th1776. The signers of the Declaration of Independence boldly asserted that allare "created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain un-
alienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. “ This document declared we would no longer be subject to English rule but would be a free and independent people! But freedom is not free it has cost America Time, money and a whole lot of blood. It has taken a unique partnership, between God and man to make this a lasting republic.. We are not a sinless nation, but a noble nation that continues to grow toward leading the whole world to Unalienable rights for all.

I think 9/11 for a short period of time we were solidly united. Since then we have become divided and discouraged, in the direction of our country. 2012 we will elect the 45th president of this nation. This election will set the tone and direction of our future for this great nation. But what I hear from my neighbors and news broadcasters is cynicism and criticism for our elected leaders.

I personally believe the secret to having great leaders is having great followers. Whether we are talking about leadership of a nation or a church it requires great followers. Here is four steps we can all take to be better followers. 1. Stay Informed. As the flood of information rises, the amount of misinformation also increases. One of the downsides of the internet is we assume because it’s on the net it’s true-but the net requires no sourcing. News is now all about sound bites and cannot possibly cover a complex subject like America in Afghanistan. So it means we need to be readers and researchers to vote and express our political views. 2. Stay connected. Unless you are part of the voting process in our country, you will never be part of the solution. With any organization it takes followers who actively communicate with its leaders from voting to letters to make positive change. 3. Stay Sacrificial to be a good follower. Every movement of God that has been transformational, has required sacrifice. We will not balance our nations priorities and budget, unless every American is willing to sacrifice their pet pig! 4. Stay in prayer for you leaders. We are currently preaching through Daniel. One lesson that comes through loud and clear in this book is that God, not man, sets up and tears down nations. As a pastor I covet peoples prayers for me, for apart from Christ I can do nothing. But every Christian needs to pray for President Barack Obama to president of your local School Board, because it is in those prayers that the future of a people is changed!

The Bible clearly states: Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 1 Timothy 2:3,4 NLT That is why I am calling Elbert Christian Church to fast and pray for our leaders from sundown July 2 to Noon on July 3rd. We will also be having an extended time of prayer for our leaders during our worship time on July 3rd.

May America have a Prayerful 4th of July

Roger Miller

RECONCILE

SNIPPETT
"Men don't reconcile, we just pretend it never happened and move on." CJ Box Cold Wind pg 114

SCRIPTURE
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:23-26 ESV

SONG

Listen children to a story
That was written long ago
'Bout a kingdom on a mountain
And the valley folk below
On the mountain was a treasure
Buried deep beneath a stone
And the valley people swore they'd
Have it for their very own

Refrain}
Go ahead and hate your neighbor
Go ahead and cheat a friend
Do it in the name of heaven
You can justify it in the end
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgment day
On the bloody morning after
One tin soldier rides away

So the people of the valley
Sent a message up the hill
Asking for the buried treasure
Tons of gold for which they'd kill
Came an answer from the kingdom
With our brothers we will share
All the secrets of our mountain
All the riches buried there

Now the valley cried with anger
Mount your horses draw your sword
And they killed the mountain people
So they won their just reward
Now they stood beside the treasure
On the mountain dark and red
Turned the stone and looked beneath it
Peace on earth was all it said

ARTIST: Coven
TITLE: One Tin Soldier
Lyrics and Chords

SENTENCE PRAYER


Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, go back into my memory as I sleep.
Every hurt that has ever been done to me. ...heal that hurt.
Every hurt that I have ever caused to another person. ...heal that hurt.
All the relationships that have been damaged in my whole life that I am not aware of. ... heal those relationships.
But Lord, if there is anything that I need to do. ...if I need to go to a person because he is still suffering from my hand, bring.to my awareness that person.
I choose to forgive, and I ask to be forgiven. Remove whatever bitterness may be in my heart, Lord, and fiIl the empty spaces with your Love. Thank You Jesus. Amen

Choosing Life

Snippet
Psalms 23 Antithesis

The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me like down only when exhausted.
It leads me to deep depression.
It hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity's sake.
Even Though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done, for my ideal is with me.
Deadlines and and the need for approval, they drive me.
They demand my performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule.
They Anoint my head with migranes.
My in-basket overflows.
Surel time pressure and fatigue shall follow me, all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever.

Scripture
Today I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses. I am offering you life or death, blessings or curses. Now, choose life! Then you and your children may live. To choose life is to love the Lord your God, obey him, and stay close to him.
Deuteronomy 30:19,20

Song
I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why

Don't know why I have to drive so fast
My car has nothing to prove
It's not new
But it'll do zero to sixty in five point two

I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why

Can't be late, I leave in plenty of time
Shakin' hands with the clock
I can't stop
I'm on a roll and I'm ready to rock

I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why

Oh, I hear a voice
That says I'm running behind
Better pick up my pace
It's a race and there ain't no room for someone in second place

I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
I'm in a hurry and I don't know why Alabama

Sentence Prayer

Slow me down, Lord! Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting my mind.
Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the streams. Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep.

Amen

COWBOY'S PRAYER

O Lord, I've never lived where churches grow;

I've loved creations better as it stood

That day you finished it, so long ago,

And looked upon your work and called it good.

Just let me live my lifes as I've begun!

And give me work that's open to the sky;

Make me a parner of the wind and sun,

And I won't ask a life that's soft and high.

Make me as big and open as the plains;

As honest as the horse between my knees;

Clean as the wind that blows behind the rains;

Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze.

Just keep an eye on all that's done and said;

Just right me something when I turn aside;

And guide me on the long, dim trail ahead-

That Stretches upward towards the Great Divide.

Badger Clark

Oaks or Deer?

The voice of the LORD twists the oaks[c] and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, Glory! Psalms 29:9 NIV



The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. Psalms 29 KJV



Lori Parsons asked me, “why is there such a drastic difference in translating Psalms 29:9?” It is obvious there is a difference on how to translate the noun in this first phrase in verse nine. The ESV translates it as a “deer” agreeing with the KJV, and the NLT translates it as the “twisting of the oaks”.



I have the view that context is the most important tool in solving Bible difficulties. First take the time to read Psalms 29. Psalms 29 is a description of a thunder storm beginning over the Mediterranean. If you have been on or near water when a storm breaks out you know how frightening it is. Water is a natural carrier of sound, so a scary storm is intensified over water. There is nothing that humbles a proud man quicker than a storm on the sea.

Starting in verse five, the storm moves in land. Growing up in the Midwest, I have survived at least a half dozen tornadoes, and through those encounters it is clear there are situations I have no control over. Only God can control the storm. Verses five through Nine is a description of God using a storm to display His strength and man's weakness. In Verse Six and eight he uses the illustration of land formations skipping or moving. I remember when I was young boy, lightening striking a cottonwood in my front yard. When lightening hits the ground, I can testify the ground does shake! In verse five, He describes the destruction of the cedars. Verse eight he describes the Lord's voice as thunder and lightening.

Back to my opinion that context matters most in matters of biblical difficulties. Both the twisting of Oaks (NIV) and Hinds (deer) to calve fit the overall context. If you have ever helped a rancher or owned livestock you know animals calve at the coming of storm. Also, if you would study the ASV, KJV, and ESV you can see how deer birthing fits. However, all translations agree on the last Phrase of verse nine. . His voice strips bare the forests. Because there is an agreement that the Lord is stripping the forest bare-the immediate context that makes the most sense is the twisting of the oaks.



In the Commentary Treasury of Scripture Knowledge it lists the Hebrew as ayyaloth, which can mean both writhing in labor or twisting. In Syriac, a dialect of Middle Aramaic, it is clear it should be translated as twisting of oak. The NET Study Bible Environment sums it up well when it states; "the Hebrew imperfect verbal form is descriptive in function; the psalmist depicts the action as underway. tc Heb “the deer.” Preserving this reading, some translate the preceding verb, “causes [the deer] to give premature birth” (cf. NEB, NASB). But the Polel of חוּל/חִיל (khul/khil) means “give birth,” not “cause to give birth,” and the statement “the Lord’s shout gives birth to deer” is absurd. In light of the parallelism (note “forests” in the next line) and v. 5, it is preferable to emend אַיָּלוֹת (’ayyalot, “deer”) to אֵילוֹת (’elot, “large trees”) understanding the latter as an alternate form of the usual plural form אַיָּלִים (’ayyalim).


The good news is that neither translation changes the Message; God is large and in charge therefore it is imperative we worship the maker of the storm.



Be God's
Roger

WEEDS 1

Weeds: Any Human coping Mechanism, willful sin or replacement of God in my life.


Heavenly Father, During today’s sermon bring to mind any way I have eaten the forbidden fruit. Jesus you are righteous, bring to my mind any unrighteousness in my life. Holy Spirit Convict me of any way I cope with life that leaves you out of the loop. I want to walk with you in the garden once again, so bring the issues out that I am hiding in shame and secretiveness. I confess you are the only perfect parent, may I rely on you to be the best parent I can be! Amen

Heavenly Father;

You love me and want what is best for me and my family, I repent of (Name of ways I have sinned by playing God). Forgive me and help me to trust you more! Help me not to manipulate, but use scripture to help myself and others grow. Help me to worry less and pray more! Help me to not be my children’s savior but point them to the True Savior Jesus Christ. Father in my family there is the sin of (out loud list the sins). Use me to begin to weed sin out my family and sow righteousness in. Amen

CEDAR

My life is like a Cedar tree
Always signs of life but
Always struggling for survival
Always Searching for Water
In the Humid heat of Kansas
Always searching with my roots
To break through the sandstone to
Anchor a place in life
Always bending and swaying
With the wind trying to remain upright

Covenants 3

Jesus teaching is clear that his Kingdom would be not be either a theocracy in Israel or a earthly kingdom, but he would rule in the hearts and lives of men and women who loved and obeyed his New Covenant. This is why I teach the New Testament is the only rule and practice for those who follow Jesus Today.

That is not say the Old Testament is Irrelevant, it is saying we should follow the examples left of the first century church and the teaching of the Apostles on how to apply the Old Testament to the lives of the follows of Christ. Today I want to explore the book of Acts and how the Old Covenant is applied.

The First observation, is the Apostles were faithful Jews and on the day of Pentecost, the church was birthed with other faithful Jews. These faithful, orthodox Jews within a generation moved from a law centered people to a grace centered people. From legalistic observance of Jewish feasts to a weekly observance of the Lord's Supper out of love for Jesus. From a mindset God's Mercy was only for Israel and by Acts 11 a mindset that God's forgiveness is for all mankind. Peter may have gone through the greatest transformation in the shortest period of time. I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ Acts 11:6-8 NIV. In this one chapter he went from kosher food only, to ham. The next verse Says; The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ Acts 11:9. From a couple of events we know he struggle with the concept that all made by God were clean, but we know he believed because after these verses he went to a gentile home and led them to Christ.

All of this is to say it is evident that God was doing something new in the church of Acts. The most Jewish of them all said it best when he said in Chapter 28:20; "It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” Then Paul goes on to explain the Hope of Israel was not the restoration of Israel but a relationship with the God man; Jesus! From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. Verse 23 Notice, that Jesus and his Kingdom is the center of Paul's teaching not a theocracy, Not the Old Covenant, or a combo of old and new. The only hope any man whether Jew or Gentile his is Jesus!

Paul says something startling a few verses later, that to me states clearly that the Old Covenant promises to the Jews is dead and it is by faith now that all men enter ino the presence of God. Listen to verses 27, 28 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’[a]
“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”

The remainder of our time I wish to spend in Acts 15 and the council in Jerusalem. Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. Acts 15:1,4 NIV

It is virtually impossible for modern Christians to understand of what the Law of Moses meant to the ancient Jew. The law afected every area of their life in a very ritualistic and religious way. Down to the most private parts, a mark on the most intimate part of a man's body. From these first verses it is clear; some in the Jerualem church were convinced the gentile could only be saved if they kept the law of Moses. Paul and Barnabas sharpley disagreed, showing they did not teach adherence to the old Covenant and faith in Jesus alone. To Paul and Barnabas credit they included the whole church in the discussion so there may be unity on the question is there one or two active covenant for the believer.

Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.” The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:7-11

J.W. McGarvey in his commentary says; "The essential issue between Paul and the Pharisees had to the perpetuation of the Law of Moses in the church of God: And the Same issue has been in debate under different phases from that day to this.
Paul defeated the attempt to fasten circumcision on the church, but later Judaizers succeeded in perpetuating it under the form of infant sprinkling, that which the Pharisees failed to accomplish openly was thus accomplished under a thin disguise.
The Pharisees failed to consolidate the law and the Gospel, but their imitators have largely succeded in teaching men that the church of Christ originated in the family of Abraham, and that Jewish tribes and the Christians congregation constitutes one identical church.
The Roman Apostasy perpetuates the daily sacrifice and pompous ritual of the temple; religious zealots have slaughtered Canaanites in the persons of modern heretics; professed Christians go to war under the old battle cry of the "Sword of the Lord and Gideon" " The "Latter-day saints emulate Solomon in the multiplication of wives; and for all these corruptions authority is found in the laws and customs of ancient Israel.

The intelligent reader of the New Testament knows Scarcely which of these errors is furthest from the truth; and he feels bound to struggle with untiring energy and ceaseless vigilance to uproot them from the minds of men."

Verse 10 makes clear where all followers of Christ begin and end in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. There is only one gate for all men to come in and find Salvation: Jesus!

The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up: “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

16 “‘After this I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’[b]
18 that have been known for ages. Acts 15:12-18

James offers us insight in how we should use the New Testament portion of the Bible to understand the Old Covenant. James helps us understand Amos 9:11,12 but uses the word prophets because numerous prophets predicted the inclusion of Gentile. What is James saying? That the house of David was literally going to be restored, by lineage of David, a nation, a temple, a return to sacrifices? He makes it clear it is fulfilled this day at the inclusion of the Gentiles. Meaning the house of David was to be a Spiritual house where both Jews and Gentile all were children of God united by the New agreement between God and Man Jesus for Man's remission of Sins! Not two Covenants one!

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath." Acts 15:19-21

James’s judgment was that Gentile believers did not have to be circumcised, but they should stay away from food sacrificed to idols, from sexual immorality and from consuming blood. This does reflect the Mosaic laws teaching that the life is in the blood—Leviticus 17:14. But it goes all the way back to the promises God made with Noah. But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. Genesis 9:4. Sexual Immorality and the drinking of blood have been grievous to God under all covenants. So these were not concession for a portion of the law. This was instructions to Gentile Christians should abstain from these practices, by doing this they would please God and love their Jewish brothers. Once again the only acceptable blood sacrifice had already been given in Jesus Christ. This is one more reason I am adamant there is only one covenant man is currently under, the New Covenant; We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Be God's

Roger

One or Two Covenants? Part Two

Back to the question; are there one or two covenants active for God's people? In my opinion I believe the bible, teaches that the New Covenant is in force for God's people today. Jesus becomes the surety of a better covenant. Hebrews 7:22 ASV I will now move to offer you several biblical reasons this is true. Understand in fairness that my prejudice is the Stone-Campbell movement and because of that a reliance on the New Testament Scriptures.

A study of Jesus teaching makes clear he did not come to reestablish a theocracy in Israel. Instead he emphasized he came to establish the Kingdom of God. Today, I want to view two passages from the gospels.

Listen to another parable: There was a land-owner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.
“The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.
“But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”
“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone[h]; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’[i]?
“Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” Matthew 21:33-44

The main elements in this parable are (1) the landowner—God, (2) the vineyard—Israel, (3) the tenant farmers—the Jewish religious leaders, (4) the landowner’s servants—the prophets and priests who remained faithful to God and preached to Israel, (5) the son—Jesus (21:38), and (6) the other tenants—the Gentiles. Jesus was exposing the religious leaders’ murderous plot (21:45). (Life Application notes from life application Bible). A surface reading makes it clear the God is building a new Kingdom, that will include Jews and Gentiles who accept the stone the builders rejected. Several Chapters earlier he makes clear that this kingdom will be the church. (Matthew 16:18)

This Parable is rooted in multiple passages in the Old Testament. If you wish for further study see; 2 Chronicles 24, Psalms 80, Isaiah 5, and Jeremiah 2. When you study the Parable and the Old Testament Passages it is clear Israel has refused to heed the Prophets and is now rejecting the Son have demonstrated they are incapble of producing fruit. In fact Israel and the religious leaders in Jesus day were incapable of producing the life and conduct that the land owner desires. So the consequence is that the Land is given to New Tenants -Gentiles. That is a easy conclusion to jump to is this new kingdom will be just Gentiles-Read this parable carefully and you will find there is no direct statement who the new tenant will be. It does hint in the story it should be those who accept the son and produce fruit and both Jew and Gentile did both in the New Covenant.

Link this to Isaiah 5:5 Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed. Isaiah 5 predicted the removal of the hedge and the treading down of the vineyard - the house of Israel. The destruction of Jerusalem, which was accomplished by the Romans in AD 70 was a fulfillment of the parable which in turn was an exposition of Isaiah 5. The absence of a repentant heart in Israel made destruction a certainty, unlike in the days of Hezekiah in Isaiah 5 Hezekiah, on being presented with the judgement repented. The leaders in Jesus day did not. In fact they were given almost 40 years to repent and accept Jesus as their messiah. That is always entry into the New Covenant Thru Christ by Faith. (The New International Biblica Com Matthew-Robert Mounce ,http://www.biblestudymanuals.net/last_week_of_Jesus_life2.htm)

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within[b] you.” Luke 17:20,21 NIV

The Pharisees asked when God’s Kingdom would come, not knowing that it had already arrived, in the life of Jesus. The Kingdom of God is not like an earthly kingdom with geographical boundaries, so it is not to be a country. Instead, the boundary of God's kingdom is found in every heart that bows it's will to the Lordship of Jesus Christ!

Jesus Makes three statements in these two verses that makes it clear; he did not have a view that Restoration of Israel or a theocracy was the will of God! The NLT of Verse 20 puts it this way. . .The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs or the King James says with observation. The word is paraterosos which is translated as signs to be observed. But the word is most often used to watch with hostility. It is as if Jesus is saying the kingdom of God will not be seen by those who oppose his teaching of the Kingdom of God. Those looking to conquer in his name or a earthly empire are blind because he is building a spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly boundaries. (The Gospel of Luke by Paul Butler College Press 1981)

Verse 21 in KJV says; Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! Jeus could not make it more plain the kingdom would not have political or geographical borders. A belief in a re-establishment of a national Israel betrays this! Christian Theocracy that seeks to evangelize with the power of a sword also betrays the intentions of Christ's teaching. Christ's rule is in the hearts of men and women everywhere not confined to one nation.

Lastly, When Jesus said the Kingdom is inside of us Donald Guthries writes;"The Kingdom of God refers to the spiritual rule of God in the hearts and lives of those in whom Christ’s redemptive work has subdued the power of evil and established the rule of faith and loving obedience to God’s commandments. The Kingdom, therefore, is not so much a domain with physical boundaries and institutions; rather, it is the rule of Christ in men’s hearts. “It is now generally agreed that it means not so much a domain, as a reign; not so much an area over which a king reigns, as the activity of reigning.” Donald Guthrie. New Testament Introduction. InterVarsity Press. 1981. (409)

Jesus teaching is clear that his Kingdom would be not be either a theocracy in Israel or a earthly kingdom, but he would rule in the hearts and lives of men and women who loved and obeyed his New Covenant. This is why I teach the New Testament is the only rule and practice for those who follow Jesus Today.

Be God's

Roger Miller

One or Two Covenants? Part One

I recently had someone ask me if I really thought the Church was Israel? That he could not see one piece of scripture to support the Church was Israel. I believe a better way to ask the question is their one or two covenants in force, for God's people today?

A majority of Roman Catholicism and Reformation Theology has spent a large amount of time trying to harmonize the Old Testament and New Testament. This has ushered into the church false teaching and evil. Both Catholics and Protestants used this approach to justify wars, colonialism and national theocracies. Since the Mid 1800's another movement has evolved, the Premillennnialism dispensationalists, due to their prophecy speculation, keep both the Old and New Covenant alive and active. All of the above approaches, try to Meld both the Old and New together. It is the purpose of this paper to assert that their is only one active covenant with God's people, the New Testament!

When I talk of the Old Covenant, the Law, or the Mosaic law I am talking primarily about the Pentateuch which as given to Israel to create a national theocracy in the Land of Canaan. The first effort to make the church into a theocracy can be traced to the Constantine and the church leaders of his day. ( 306-337 A.D) This also led to the establishment of the Holy Roman Catholic Church and the Papacy. Almost a thousand years later when the Protestant reformation happened, most of the reformer kept a theocracy view.

This practice led to the false teaching of Elders or Pastors becoming the Levitical priesthood and Christians as mere spectators. The great commission became nothing more that establishing little Israels' all over the world. Those not practising the state religion were Canaanites, which must be punished by death.

This short paragraph is really just a glimpse of the evil this brought to God's people everywhere and continues to affect our practices today. Let me give you a few false assumptions that Theocrats make.
1. The Mosaic law supersedes the New Testament and the New Testament must be interpreted by the use of the O.T.
2. If you are God's chosen ones, then the area you live in must now be the new Zion.
3. The state is a direct representative of God Almighty, so any opposition to your government must be conquered by war or death.
4. The OT was spiritualized so Moses sprinkling blood on the People (Ex 24:3-8) became Holy Water sprinkled on the people. The Sabbath became Sunday and national laws were set up with punishments.
5. Material prosperity and military victory were signs of God's favor. This has become the seeds of the modern health and wealth gospel.
6. Your country became to Promised Land, even though Jesus denounced the concept that government should be a theocracy. "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Matthew 22:21

The American Restoration Movement began in the early 1800's as a result of the Second Great Awakening. Because this movement was founded on America's frontier they were neither Protestant or Catholic. The early leaders were influenced by John Locke and several different reformers. This Big tent led them to find their doctrine in a a Pre-Constantine early Apostolic church. This led to three revolutionary teachings for their day; 1. The New Testament supersedes the Old Testament. 2. The New Testament provides the Official harmony of the Old Testament. How the Apostles handled the Mosaic Covenant became the practice of the Restoration movement. This led them to the saying;
3. "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak, we speak, and where they are silent, we are silent." What if the New Testament does not address an OT Issue then it is irrelevant to our salvation and we remain silent.

Back to the question; Is there one or two covenants active for God's people? I teach I believe biblically, that only the New Covenant is enforce for God's people today. Jesus become the surety of a better covenant. Hebrews 7:22 ASV I will now move to offer you several biblical reasons this is true. Understand in fairness that my prejudice is the Stone-Campbell movement and because of that a reliance on the New Testament Scriptures.

Be God's
Roger Miller

Light

Snippet

I imagine the dead wakeing dazed into a shadowless light in which they know themselves altogether for the first time. It is a light that is merciless, until they can accept it's mercy. By it they are at once condemned and redeemed. It is hell until it is heaven. Seeing themselves in that light if they are willing they see how far they have failed the onl job they were given to love one another. It punishes them by their own judgement and yet in suffering that lights awful clarity and seeing themselves in it, they see it's forgiveness and beauty, and are consoled. I it they are loved compleatley even as they have been and so are changed into what they could not have been, but what they could have, if they could imagine it, they would have wished to be. That light can only come into this world as love. And love can only enter by suffering. Not enough light has reached us here living in the shadows. And yet it has never been entirely absent.
Wendell Berry A World lost

Scripture

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. John 3:20,21

Carry the Light by Twila Paris

In this world of darkness
We are given light
Hope for all the dying
How will they know
How will they know
That Jesus loves them
And He died to save them

Chorus
Carry the Light
Carry the Light
Go and tell the children
They are precious in His sight
Carry the Light
Carry the Light
Go and preach the gospel
'Til there is no more night
In the name of Jesus Christ
Carry the Light

Count them by the millions
Blinded slaves to sin
Inside they are dying
How will they know
How will they know
That Jesus loves them
And His heart is breaking

Ending
Go ye into all the world
Go ye into all the world
And carry the Light the Light
Carry the Light

1989 Ariose Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Mountain Spring Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Sentence Prayer

Father You created me to be light, bringing out the God-colors in this world.
God is not a secret to be kept. I am to go public with this, as public as a city on a hill.

Jesus you made us to be light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine Jesus shine!

Holy Spirit you made us to keep an open house; to be generous with our lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God.

These generous blessings are from our Father in heaven. Amen

Prayer Based Matthew 5:14-16 Message

County Commissioners Prayer

Almighty God You are a Just and Merciful God. Forgive us when we fail to be either Just or Merciful Thank you that we live in a nation founded on Judeo-Christian Values. Enable the procedings to provide Justice for the wronged To give mercy to the repentant Remind us all time and time again The words of our Lord and Savior The truth shall set you free. Amen

The Defender

Just 21 Riding in to Coffeyville

Away from Marshall Heck

To beat anything Jesse James ever did

We Grabbed three fat bankers at the first

When the Shots came ringing out!

Daltons came riding in

And the defenders

Mowed them Down

Running out the back with the money in hand

I made it to my sorrel

I Felt a burning in my hip, as I bent to pick up Bob

Old Man Seaman blasted me out of the Saddle

When all was quiet there was 23 new holes in my suit

They wanted to hang old Em, but Doc Wells bravely Said no

Dalton Came riding in

The Defender Mowed Him Down

Judgement came and the sentence

Was life without Parole in Leavenworth

Defender Came riding in,

And Dalton raised to New Life

They handed me a pair of Scissors, learned to be a man of cloth

Found my knees in my four walls

And a New life, that set me free from the bars.

14 years Later and a shoulder that never healed

I was headed back to Kingfisher to see my lover and mother

Defender Came riding in,

And Dalton raised to

New Life

The beginnings were small a night clerk a tailor shop

There were talks on the hard trail I had ridden, they were even written down

I bought some property and my nightmare came alive in Hollywood

To me ” said Dalton, “the word ‘outlaw’ is a living coal of fire The past to me is a tragedy shrouded in bitter memories I was young and foolish, and association with men of adventurous proclivities eventually resulted in imprisonment And how many men can conceive what it means to languish in prison? But I learned much in my lonely cell I have learned to hope in a divinity, that a surplus of energy and determination will conquer every weakness. Emmitt Dalton The Washington Post, April 19, 1908: Aug. 27, 1936: Emmett is baptized at the Angelus Temple, Los Angeles.

Manitou Lake

Today March 25th went on my first fishing trip of the year, to manitou lake in Woodland Park, Co. Caught one keeper a 14" rainbow trout on salmon eggs.

Manitou lake is part of Pike National forest, five miles north of Woodland Park on Highway 67. There is a $5.00 entrance fee or a $40 annual national park pass. There is picnic shelters, outhouse and hydrants. A Very easy trail around the lake with benches and docs to fish from. Trout creek flows from the lake overing flyfishing opportunity. With a bold view of the North side of Pikes Peak.

April

“The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself.” John 10:11, The Message
God is on a cross. The creator of the universe is being executed. Spit and blood are caked to his cheeks, and his lips are cracked and swollen. Thorns rip his scalp. His lungs scream with pain. His legs knot with cramps . .And there is
no one to save him, for he is sacrificing himself. It is no normal six hours . . . it is no normal Friday. (Max Lucado)

Christians call this Friday; Good Friday because Jesus died paying for mankind sins. The Sunday after this spectacular sacrifice is what we call Easter. Resurrection Paul defines the importance of Easter when he says regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit[a] of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:3,4

Good Friday paid for our sins the great Sunday morning proved Jesus had the right to pay for our sins, and that he was the Son of God! How important is this? I passed on to you what was most important and what had also
been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. I Corinthians 15:3,4 NLT

April is our opportunity to celebrate Man’s redemption and the Son of God’s resurrection. Invite a friend or two, to the Easter Cantata or the Easter service. Take time to thank God for moving heaven and earth to save you. May April be a reminder it’s not about you but the one who died and rose again.

Be God’s

Roger Miller

CONVERSION

Snippet

A beloved professor of mine spoke of Christian conversion as a verb that arrives in several tenses. We have been justified, we are being sanctified, and we will be glorified. That is to say, on the Cross, Christ became our sacrifice, and the work is finished for all. God has declared his children righteous because we are united to his Son. But Christ is also our moral influence, the message of the gospel is transformational, and the believer is continually being sanctified through the Holy Spirit. To the one who has been united with the Son, the daily indwelling of Christ is a gift and a sign of the message that is presently being worked within us. Furthermore, what a person will be in Christ through the process of sanctification and the promise of justification has not yet been fully revealed, but there are signs all around of the hope and glory that is to come in Christ Jesus . www.rzim.org Daily slice Jill Cartinni

SCRIPTURE

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:16-18


SONG

Brandon Heath- I'm not who I was

I wish you could see me now
I wish you could see me now
I'm not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was

I found my way around
to forgiving you
some time ago
But I never got to tell you so

I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was
you were thee, you were right above me
and I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was

When the pain came back again
like a bitter friend
it was all I could do
to keep myself from blaming you

I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
now i'm not who I was
I write abou love and such
maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was

I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
but I never did forget your name
hello

Well the thing I find most amazing
is amazing grace
is the chance to give it out
maybe that's what love is all about

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was

Sentence Prayer

My blessed Savior and Lord. I praise you for freely giving
me the Bread of life. Your replaced my darkness with your
light, my fear with your security, andmy despair with your
hope. Remind me every day, Father, that the Bread of Life
I have in Jesus comes to me by your grace and through
your love-and that it delights your generous heart when I
others where they can find and partake. Make me into an
eager ambassador of Jesus Christ. Turn my fear into boldness
so that heaven's streets may be filled with men and women
who love the Savior, in part because they first heard of His
grace and mercy from my lips.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Max Lucado Out live your life pg 40