tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56316008430225142292024-03-12T18:09:26.495-05:00Men on FireMitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-88354125111769825672016-07-29T21:01:00.002-05:002016-07-29T21:01:28.283-05:00Love and Obedience: Inseparable Friends.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">For a Bible study/memory competition this summer called the National Bible Bee (click </span><a href="http://biblebee.org/" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; text-align: left;">Here</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: left;"> for more information) I've been studying John 13-15. As I was studying John 14 a truth seemed to just jump off the page at me. In John 14:15, Jesus is talking to his disciples and says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." I believe that this verse holds the key for a deeper and more consistent relationship with God. Many people today believe that they can have love without obedience. The problem is that love and obedience are two inseparable friends. If you try to have one without the other you will have neither. An attempt at love without obedience equals liberalism. An attempt at obedience without love equals legalism. When one truly loves Jesus they cannot help but obey him. Obedience is impossible without love, but when we truly love we cannot help but to obey. Judas and Peter are two excellent examples of the difference a heart of love makes when one is trying to obey. Judas tried to obey, but eventually betrayed Jesus in the most cruel manner. I believe that this heartless betrayal occurred because Judas was trying to obey without any true love. Peter, although he also fell and denied Jesus, rose again to new heights of victory because he was following Jesus out of an heart of love. 1 John 4:19 states, "We love him, because he first loved us." Jesus is our example of love. We can have a heart of true love if we ask God to give us his true love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So here are a couple things to remember. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>A</b>. Love and Obedience cannot be separated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>B</b>. Obedience can only be achieved out of a heart of love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>C</b>. Love comes only from God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let us go on our way with true love, and obedience will always follow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Denver Bontrager</span></div>
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(photo credits- Denver Bontrager)<br />
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Editors note- When your younger brother is finishing high-school and only has some work to score and re-score before he is DONE, you help him with the scoring, and he writes your blog post!</div>
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Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-33119871362170413232016-07-18T08:51:00.001-05:002016-07-18T08:51:20.612-05:00Nova Scotia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 19</span></div>
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1 The heavens declare the glory of God;</div>
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and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.</div>
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2 Day unto day uttereth speech,</div>
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and night unto night sheweth knowledge.</div>
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3 There is no speech nor language,</div>
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where their voice is not heard.</div>
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4 Their line is gone out through all the earth,</div>
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and their words to the end of the world.</div>
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In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,</div>
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5 which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,</div>
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and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.</div>
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6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven,</div>
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and his circuit unto the ends of it:</div>
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and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:</span></div>
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the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.</div>
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8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:</div>
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the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.</div>
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9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever:</div>
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the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.</div>
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10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:</div>
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sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.</div>
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11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned:</div>
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and in keeping of them there is great reward.</div>
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12 Who can understand his errors?</div>
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cleanse thou me from secret faults.</div>
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13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;</div>
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let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright,</div>
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and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.</div>
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14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart,</div>
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be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord,</div>
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my strength, and my redeemer.</div>
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Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-78557335836413264592016-07-15T12:51:00.002-05:002016-07-15T12:54:34.850-05:00Faithfulness<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text 1Cor-4-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> "</span><span class="text 1Cor-4-1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of tohe mysteries of God. </span><span class="text 1Cor-4-1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-4-2" id="en-AKJV-28436" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." (I Corinthians 4:1-2). </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">God tells us to be faithful- to serve Him IN SPITE OF life's challenging circumstances. John 14:15 says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." </span>Faithfulness is love in action.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Someone once said, "Cheating is easy. Try something more challenging... Like being faithful." The Bible gives us some great examples of ordinary people who remained faithful to God in the midst of challenging circumstances. One of these examples is Daniel. </span><span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel 6:10 gives us the following account of Daniel- "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." Oh, for a few Christians who will decide to serve God REGARDLESS of their circumstances! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> II Timothy 2:1-2 says, "<span class="text 2Tim-2-1" id="en-AKJV-29829" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. </span><span class="text 2Tim-2-1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b> </b></span><span class="text 2Tim-2-2" id="en-AKJV-29830" style="box-sizing: border-box;">And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." We don't need more TALENTED people in our churches- we need a few FAITHFUL people! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The story is told that Andrew Jackson’s boyhood friends just couldn’t understand how he became a famous general and then the President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never succeeded. One of Jackson’s friends said, “Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">now.” </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another friend responded, “How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn’t they usually say three times and out?” </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat—he would never stay ‘throwed.’ Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andrew Jackson would throw him and be the winner.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Proverbs 24:16 says, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”</span></div>
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Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-33389430080172521092016-07-05T11:57:00.001-05:002016-07-05T12:00:52.574-05:00Making America Good Again Psalm 33:12a says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;" I am thankful to live in America, and I definitely believe in American exceptionalism. However, I believe we are an exceptional country not because we are exceptional people; rather, I believe we are an exceptional country because we serve an exceptional God. <br />
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There is a wicked spirit of pride that pervades America today, and here is what it says- 'We can make America great again, because we made her great in the first place.'" Friends, no human being can make us great again, because it wasn't humans that made us great in the first place. Alexis de Tocqueville said it best- “America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” Today, we have ceased from goodness (faith in God, and righteous living), and thus are rapidly losing our greatness. Here are three things that I believe we need in order to "Make America Good Again."<br />
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First, we need to start <i style="font-weight: bold;">praying. </i>(II Chronicles 7:14). We say that it is terrible that prayer has been removed from our schools, and it is terrible. But which is worse, the ungodly removing prayer from the schools, or Christians neglecting prayer in our homes? The founding fathers prayed to an Almighty God for deliverance, protection, and wisdom; why are we so proud that we think we can fix our problems ourselves?<br />
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Second, we must start living with <i style="font-weight: bold;">purity. </i>Proverbs 13:34 says, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." John Adams said this- "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." America will never be <i style="font-weight: bold;">right </i>again, until we become <i style="font-weight: bold;">righteous </i>again.<br />
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Third, we have to start <i style="font-weight: bold;">praising </i>God again. Psalm 35:28 "And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long." John 12:32 says, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." May our lives, homes, churches, and government once again be filled with true praise, as we glorify God with our thoughts, words, motives, and actions!<br />
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Alexis de Tocqueville said, "Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” America will only become "great" again, when she becomes "good" again; and she will only become good when born-again Christians start living right and sharing the Gospel!<br />
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Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-27025610644866612722016-06-29T09:58:00.001-05:002016-06-29T10:02:37.328-05:00Three weeks and counting! Three weeks ago, we left on our summer tour. And while it has been a great trip and we have seen God do some incredible things, I sometimes find it hard to stay focused on the tasks at hand- home is sounding very appealing right now! Recently, though, my sister Allison shared with me a great quote that she came across- "Don't count the days, make the days count."<br />
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Wow, how true that is! And yet, it can be EXTREMELY hard to actually implement! So I got to thinking- are there any examples of people in the Bible who lived their lives like this, and if so, how did they do it? Here are a two examples I thought of.<br />
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David. Despite being anointed king of Israel when he was young (Josephus puts the age at ten, most modern historians at 15), David didn't actually become king until he was about thirty! And even then, he was only king of Judah- it would be seven years later before he began to reign over all of Israel! How did he stay focused on the bigger picture during those years of waiting? The answer is found in Psalm 37:4- "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." When we focus on the Lord, His desires actually become OUR desires, and we can be fulfilled in serving Him! And it is amazing how many of our original desires He gives back to us in the proccess! <br />
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Joseph. When it comes to making the most of a waiting period, Joseph may be the greatest example ever of someone who found joy and fulfillment in the midst of what appeared to be absolute nothingness! Most of us would grow bitter at God if we were placed in Joseph's shoes, but Joseph didn't. How did he continue producing good fruit, even when it looked like God had forgotten about him? Joseph never lost sight of the plans God had for him- of the purpose God had for his life.<br />
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So when we are tempted to murmur and complain because we are tired of a certain situation or phase of life, let us remember to "Make the days count, rather than counting the days!"<br />
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"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)</div>
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<br />Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-29128592266957760172016-06-20T15:17:00.001-05:002016-06-20T15:34:58.959-05:00Stand<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-6-10" id="en-AKJV-29348" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">"10 </span>Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"></span><span class="text Eph-6-11" id="en-AKJV-29349" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span>Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"></span><span class="text Eph-6-12" id="en-AKJV-29350" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span>For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">places</i>. </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"></span><span class="text Eph-6-13" id="en-AKJV-29351" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span>Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"></span><span class="text Eph-6-14" id="en-AKJV-29352" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span>Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"></span><span class="text Eph-6-15" id="en-AKJV-29353" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">15 </span>and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"></span><span class="text Eph-6-16" id="en-AKJV-29354" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">16 </span>above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"></span><span class="text Eph-6-17" id="en-AKJV-29355" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">17 </span>And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"></span><span class="text Eph-6-18" id="en-AKJV-29356" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">18 </span>praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" (</span>Ephesians 6:10-18)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Yesterday, I preached a sermon entitled "Stand." Here are three things that we must have in order to stand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Armour. In Ephesians 6, verses 11,13, and 14, we are told that we need the armour of God in order to stand. Obviously, the armour of God is a longer study than I could write about here. However, I believe that many Christians are missing pieces of this armour, and thus falling prey to the devil. Oh, for a generation that once again realalized that we are in a battle, and that God has given us all the protection we need, if we will just avail ourselves of it! (On a side note, many "professing" Christians have never donned the "helmet of salvation." They have never been born again; therefore, they won't last when the fighting gets hot.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Belief. </span><span class="text 2Tim-1-11" id="en-AKJV-29821" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"></span><span class="text 2Tim-1-12" id="en-AKJV-29822" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </span>For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"></span><span class="text 2Tim-1-13" id="en-AKJV-29823" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </span>Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"></span><span class="text 2Tim-1-14" id="en-AKJV-29824" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </span>That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(II Timothy 1:12-14). Why did Paul stand? He knew what he believed. Think of it is way- </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"No one ever stands for a cause they don't believe in." And as Christians, it isn't just <i style="font-weight: bold;">a </i>belief or <i style="font-weight: bold;">a </i>faith- we have <i style="font-weight: bold;">THE </i>faith! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul didn't say that he had kept <b><i>a </i></b>faith, or some church denomination's faith, or that he had been a person of faith, or that he had finished his journey of faith- he simply said "I have kept <b><i>the </i></b>faith"!!! (II Timothy 4:7)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Conviction. "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?" (I Samuel 17:29). "</span><span class="text Dan-1-8" id="en-AKJV-21746" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." We must become men and women of <i style="font-weight: bold;">conviction, </i>purposing in our own hearts to "just do right." </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most battles are not won or lost on the battlefield, they are decided long before that. The preparation, the planning, the determination, the conviction- this is what will bring success! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Recently, I was talking to a man before one of our concerts, and he asked if I was going to do a good job. I told him that I would try, to which he responded, "I have a sign on my computer that reads, 'Don't try- just do.'" As I later reflected on what he said, I realized that many Christians spend their lives "trying" to do right, while a few simply "do" right. Which kind of Christian are you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> "If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything."</span><br />
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Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-21817743668622742862016-06-13T22:57:00.000-05:002016-06-13T23:05:28.817-05:00Are You Willing to Suffer?<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Hello, friends! Our family recently embarked on our summer tour, so I decided to start blogging again in celebration of leaving! (Just kidding!). Seriously, though, it is easier to blog on the road than on the farm, so I have decided to do a weekly post during this trip. And since I sometimes get the opportunity to preach at the churches we sing at on Sunday mornings, I have decided to convert some of my sermons into blog posts. (This is called killing two birds with one stone!). So here is the thought for this week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> "<span class="text Phil-1-29" id="en-AKJV-29391" style="box-sizing: border-box;">For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; </span><span class="text Phil-1-30" id="en-AKJV-29392" style="box-sizing: border-box;">having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">to be</i> in me." (Philippians 1:29-30)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Phil-1-30" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span><span class="text Phil-1-30" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> When I read these verses recently during my Bible time, the thought that struck me was this- it is impossible to separate <i>belief </i>from <i>suffering. </i>The Word of God clearly teaches that these two go hand-in-hand. Why is it, then, that so many sermons are preached about the goodness of God, trusting God in the hard times, having faith, believing that God will come through; yet we seldom preach about endurance, hardship, persecution and suffering? I believe that a big reason is this- suffering is NOT popular in America. We are the most pampered and lazy generation to walk the face of the earth in A LONG TIME, if not ever! And simply put, we don't like suffering! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text Phil-1-30" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span><span class="text Phil-1-30" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> Friends, it is time we quit worrying about what others think, and start considering what God has called us to! There are Christians all around the world who are being tortured and killed, and yet we refuse to take a stand for marriage, life, morality, and the Bible- simply because someone might be offended or make fun of us! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> In reality, though, the world is crying out for something </span><i style="font-weight: bold;">real and tough and strong-</i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> something worth standing for. The world has tried money, immorality, and entertainment, and they have found that none of that satisfies! Will we be a <b><i>good </i></b>example to them and endure suffering as a good soldier? </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Christian, you will stand and give and account before God one day- will you be able to say that you took a stand for Him during your time on earth? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> I close with 2 Timothy 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." </span></span><span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today, let us ask ourselves- "Are we included in </span><i style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">all</i><span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">?" If so, why aren't we experiencing any suffering? There is only one answer- </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>"we aren't standing anymore."</i></b>Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-50157881913627607412015-07-31T10:37:00.001-05:002015-07-31T10:37:28.230-05:00Making Sound Decisions I am currently reading in 1 Samuel, and as I was reading through chapter ten, I read something very interesting. After pouring oil on Saul's head to anoint him king over Israel, Samuel informs Saul of several events that will take place. Then, Samuel makes the following statement in verse seven-"And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee." <br />
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This really struck me! So often, we think that we must pray before we make ANY decision, but that's not what the Bible says here. Rather, it teaches us an important lesson-If we live our lives constantly seeking God through prayer and through His Word, and if we live completely surrendered to Him, then we will be able to make decisions that will honor and glorify Him! I am not suggesting that we never need to pray before making decisions-sometimes we do need to. But many times, a Spirit-filled Christian will be able to make the right decision, simply because He knows the heart of his Father. God created us with minds that are way more powerful and brilliant than any device ever made by man-so let's use our brains!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." Psalm 111:10</b></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7</span></b>Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-42649274241788003792015-07-21T17:26:00.001-05:002015-07-21T17:26:27.197-05:00Stage-Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, last night we sang in Chassel, Michigan. I was really enjoying the evening, and everything was going great, until three songs near the end. As I approached the stairs to make my ascent to the stage, someone else was coming down the stairs; so I did the logical thing, skipping the stairs and jumping onto the stage. The only problem was, I did not execute the jump very well, resulting in my leg colliding with the steel on the edge of the stage! Let me tell you- it hurt! But, after I got over my embarrassment (failing to properly execute such a simple jump is very<i> lame</i>) and the first wave of pain, I decided that my leg really didn't hurt too badly- so I went right into the next song. </div>
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Well, a bit later I looked down- and saw blood on my shoe and a wet spot on my pant-leg! </div>
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Here are some pictures-</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SxauBS3ErUM/Va6-hiQyFgI/AAAAAAAAAss/gWPbtKmFD5Q/s1600/IMG_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SxauBS3ErUM/Va6-hiQyFgI/AAAAAAAAAss/gWPbtKmFD5Q/s640/IMG_0057.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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So, it turns out that singing CAN be dangerous!</div>
Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-55866018279694161642015-07-07T23:04:00.000-05:002015-07-07T23:29:16.567-05:00Hello! So, I have decided to break the silence on this blog! Thank-you so much to all of you who have been praying for us; we are having a great trip, and we have really seen God move in great ways! One of the memories I will never forget was our hike at Jasper Park in Alberta. The hike was about five miles one way, and since we don't like doing things the normal way, my brothers and I got off the trail and did the most grueling leg-muscle workout I have ever done, climbing the last part of the mountain on a slope of loose rock! It was really awesome, especially because I was with all of my brothers! However, after watching Hudson complete that climb, I couldn't help but think back to the time when my dad took me to a football game (I was maybe seven at the time)- and I was asking him to carry me on the walk from the vehicle to the stadium! (I would guess it was a mile at the MOST!) Simply put, growing up with big brothers has made Hudson the toughest nine-year old I know! Anyway, that is just a bit of what I have been doing with my family this summer (really, we have been doing a lot of singing and that was the only hike); I will try to post again before we get home!<br />
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<img src="webkit-fake-url://12a4605f-5cfd-4f88-ad92-f2f9b1dbfda3/imagejpeg" />Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-77717138313440746332015-02-26T12:05:00.001-06:002015-02-26T12:05:44.098-06:00Contentment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I was recently talking with one of my close friends, and we were talking about being content, particularly in the area of ministry. So often, it is easy for us to look at another’s God-given “ministry,” and think that it is so much greater than the ministry that God has entrusted to us! But if your ministry is something that God has given to you, than there is nothing greater that you could ever do than to obey! Romans 12:4-8 puts it this way, <b>"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."</b> The Bible tells us that our gifts are different, but that they are <b>"a</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>ccording to the grace that is given to us,"</b> God has given each one of His children specific gifts to accomplish specific tasks; and you are the only one who can accomplish what God has given you to accomplish, because you are the only one that God has given the gifts needed to accomplish those tasks!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Before our family traveled in a bus, one of my siblings made the following statement- “I would </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NEVER </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">get tired of traveling in a bus!” Well, lets just say that we have never let her forget that statement! In her defense, bus life looked really glamorous- I mean, what could be better than touring the US and even Canada, and doing it in a home on wheels? But once we started living in a bus, the "rubber met the road." (No pun intended) For example, just imagine sitting innocently on your living room couch (which in our case is also located in the dining room and the kitchen) reading a book; when one of your sisters opens a cupboard (which is located above your head) to look for a hairbrush. But the contents of the cupboard have shifted due to the railroad tracks that the bus bounced over ten minutes earlier, so when the cupboard door is opened, the curling iron jumps out and bops you on the head. At which point you 1- Resist the urge to act in an un-Godly manner 2- Wonder why you chose to read at such an un-peaceful place as the living room, and 3- Wonder <b>WHY </b>anyone <b>EVER</b> invented curling irons? Oh, and the afore-mentioned hairbrush wasn't even in the cupboard, but on the bathroom counter where your sister left it! Sigh. But here is the point- if I can’t learn to be content serving God where He has placed me, then I will never be content serving Him elsewhere, either. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> “</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11</span></b></span></div>
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Totally unrelated to the post, but here is a picture of me holding Gideon Fikes. I love little children! (Just don't tell Gid that I called him "little"- it may be the truth, but he would be highly offended!)</div>
Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-13306919568777780962015-02-20T11:53:00.000-06:002015-02-20T11:53:53.433-06:00Six Month Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, it's been awhile since I've posted, so here is a recap of what I've been doing since a made my last appearance here.<br />
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1. Construction. In August and September, I worked for a friend who is a carpenter. We were building a new house for someone, so I got to learn about quite a few from different aspects of construction! I'm thankful for what I was able to learn, and also for being able to work with a Godly friend, but I still like farming better!<br />
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2. Manure Hauling. (WARNING- If you get grossed out easily, you may not want to read the following section- at least not during dinner!) I know this sounds gross to a lot of people, but be thankful someone does the dirty jobs, or else you wouldn't be eating bacon and ham and sausage! Basically, for about two months I spent nearly ever day (as long as the fields weren't too wet) in a tractor, injecting hog manure in the fertile fields of Iowa. In case you are interested (and even if you aren't), here is the rundown of a typical autumn week for me-<br />
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I would awake between 1 and 5 Monday morning, get in our farm truck with my brother Carson, and head to the job. Some of our jobs were within fifteen or twenty minutes of our house; others were much farther away, in which case we would just pack a bunch of food and get a motel for the week. (Actually, it would be more accurate to say that our dear mother and sisters packed most of the food!) Cutting to the chase, a good week was 90 to 95 hours, but that was only if we didn't get rain and the equipment didn't break down! Simply put, I love this job- that is, until I roll out of bed at five o-clock on Saturday morning after getting about five and a half hours of sleep for the sixth night in a row, eating a hurried breakfast, and arriving on the job site to set up in the dark, with the temperature below freezing and the wind howling..... then after getting everything set up, climbing in the tractor cab, only to realize, about the time the cab is actually warm and cozy, that something on the tank has broken, or that one of the lines that the manure flows through is plugged! Working with cold metal in cold temperatures (while exposed to the wind), is not my first love! Neither is unplugging manure hoses! (Sigh) Anyone want to trade jobs?!<br />
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3. Christmas play. Our church puts on a Live Animal Christmas Play every December. There are six showings over a three day period, but many, many hours of rehearsels, set-building, and preperation leading up to the weekend of the play. But it was definitely worth every minute and every dollar, as many souls were saved, and many lives were blessed!<br />
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4. Family life. Our family made many great memories together over the past six months, capped off with the Christmas season. I love Christmas, and I love spending time with family and friends!<br />
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So there is a recap of the last while! And here are some pictures to go along with it-</div>
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Monopoly and home-made donuts!</div>
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Take-one</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6086FKv3F_o/VMPkSKeqw1I/AAAAAAAAAmc/ZHtIhTXbbd4/s1600/babysitbrowns%2B-%2B13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6086FKv3F_o/VMPkSKeqw1I/AAAAAAAAAmc/ZHtIhTXbbd4/s1600/babysitbrowns%2B-%2B13.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
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We had the privilege of baby-sitting for thirteen children one day! It was great!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIje5YQUxM0/VMPklkVmh5I/AAAAAAAAAmk/aiuRnVoiXXk/s1600/christmaseve14%2B-%2B60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIje5YQUxM0/VMPklkVmh5I/AAAAAAAAAmk/aiuRnVoiXXk/s1600/christmaseve14%2B-%2B60.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Christmas Eve</div>
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Nothing like driving tractor at night! I mean, what's better than driving a tractor with really, really powerful lights, eating snacks (technically to stay awake, but also because I love eating!), listening to music or radio, and getting paid to do it! Well, it's fun until the clock strikes one, then two, then three, then four... anyway, it makes for good memories!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fYl0rFxfg-U/VMPk1sqKB1I/AAAAAAAAAm0/2AVyEYU2JYs/s1600/manurehaul%2B-%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fYl0rFxfg-U/VMPk1sqKB1I/AAAAAAAAAm0/2AVyEYU2JYs/s1600/manurehaul%2B-%2B2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Manure hauling</div>
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Christmas Play</div>
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<b> "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." John 4:35</b></div>
Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-91457261981515917582014-07-09T21:34:00.000-05:002014-07-09T21:34:02.389-05:00Hello!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wow! It's been a long time since I have posted anything here! So, just what have I been doing this summer? Well, since returning from Arkansas in early June, I have spent several weeks on the farm, and over three weeks on the road singing with my family. I have really enjoyed getting reacquainted with my family, after being away from them for a month! Family is something that we tend to take for granted, until we are without it! </div>
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Anyway, I probably won't be posting much in the next two months- between working construction for a friend, spending time with my family in the evenings, and spending time with relatives and company on weekends, I will be fairly busy until September. September contains Labor Day weekend, family camp, and a couple of trips. Then come October and November, with long days in the field. Also, practice for our church's Christmas play starts in November. And December..... well, I'm sure I can find things to occupy my time then, too! (Wow, I am becoming a pro at making excuses! And that's not a good thing to be good at!) </div>
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Suffice to say, I probably won't be doing a post every day (or even every week) from now until the end of the year! But I will try to post some pictures from time to time, in case you want to see what I'm up to! May the Lord bless ya'll!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)</span></div>
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<br />Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-58534335143598950132014-05-30T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-30T05:00:08.087-05:00Photos and Thoughts From the Ozarks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday, Pastor Stanley and his wife took a group of us young people to the <a href="http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/">Ozark Folk Center</a> in Mountain View, Arkansas. We had a blast touring the different old-time shops, and seeing all kinds of neat things. Pictured below are some highlights from the day.</div>
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The candle-shop</div>
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Trying out the different hats!</div>
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The print shop</div>
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A donkey-powered merry-go-round!</div>
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Phillip Robinson and I (Micah Robinson in the background)</div>
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I soooooo want one of these for my doorbell someday! (P.S. The springs aren't connected, so it is totally safe!)</div>
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After leaving the Folk Center, we stopped at a country store; the pictures below were taken there.</div>
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Baby "rattlers?" Maybe baby "rattles" would be more accurate!</div>
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Here are the baby "rattlers"!</div>
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Man-Eating Chicken?</div>
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It turns out, the box contained a picture of a man who was eating chicken! LOL!!! (Sorry about the side-ways picture; I didn't think about the angle at the time!)</div>
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Playing and singing a song at the country store.</div>
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These two pictures are from the pottery shop at the Folk Center. I saved them for last because of what they reminded me of. (It's kind of amazing, but I did manage to have a serious thought in the midst of all the fun and laughter we shared!) As I stood there watching this lady form something beautiful from a lump of clay, I was reminded of the spiritual analogy; Christ is the potter, we are the clay. </div>
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Before the potter picks up the clay, the clay is worthless. Paul says in Romans 7:18, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." Before Christ picks someone up, they are worthless. Don't let the world deceive you by telling you what a good person you are; we are all filthy, rotten sinners on our own! Ah, but when the Master Potter picks up the clay, regardless of what that clay looks like, it is valuable to Him. Hey, when Jesus Christ saves a sinner, they may look worthless to the world, but they are precious to Him! However, He doesn't want to leave the clay as He found it; He want's to create a beautiful vessel! </div>
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Now, we all want Christ to mold us into a beautiful vessel, but are we willing to endure the process that is required in order to become what He wants us to be? Are we willing to, like the clay, be spun in circles and molded on a wheel? Are we willing to go through the fire? Are we willing to be painted or glazed just how the Potter wants? Are we willing to then go through the fire again?</div>
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It's very easy to pray, "Lord, please use me." What we ought rather to pray is, "Lord, please make me <i>useable. </i>Many Christians are unfit for the Master's use because they won't allow Him to make them <i>useable. </i> Remember, God isn't looking for talented people. Rather, He is looking for empty vessels- people who are willing to surrender ALL to Him so He can mold them into something that He can use.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"But now, O Lord, thou art our father; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we are the clay, and thou our potter; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and we all are the work of thy hand. (Isaiah 64:8)</span></div>
Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-21896875527524604222014-05-29T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-29T05:00:02.762-05:00Photos From Sunday Evening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last Sunday, after the afternoon church service, I went to someone's house for their son's first birthday party. Here are some pictures-</div>
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Playing volleyball</div>
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Watching the flight of the ball.</div>
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Jonathan Stanley, hitting the ball.</div>
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Michael Stanley preparing for a hit.</div>
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Me preparing to hit.</div>
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Cheering after a play. (Either a good one on our team's part, or a bad one on the other team's part. Either way, it was a good play!)</div>
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Is that ball ever coming down?</div>
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Here are some of the little tykes with Ivan, the birthday boy, who is trying out his new wheels!</div>
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It looks like Ivan enjoyed his cake! (And in more ways than one, if you know what I mean!)</div>
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In addition to playing volleyball, we played catch with a football. (It was more physical, though, than just "catch"!) Plus, we roasted hotdogs and marsh-mellows. I had a great time; everyone here at Friendship Baptist Church has been so friendly, and I am going to miss them a lot when I head home next week!Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-32222411869935468842014-05-28T05:00:00.000-05:002014-06-25T15:22:44.579-05:00Memorial Day Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are some pictures from Memorial Day-</div>
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The man in the wheel-chair is Mr. Richard Manning, a veteran of WWII. In this picture, Mr. Manning is explaining to us what his medals signify; the second one from the left is a Purple Heart. </div>
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I do not remember this gentleman's name, but he is also a WWII vet. Meeting him and Mr. Manning has given me a greater appreciation for what our veterans have done; they were simply ordinary men, who chose to take a stand and to fight for the right. These men, along with all of our troops today, are heroes; they deserve our respect and honor.</div>
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Standing next to this tank gave me more respect than ever for our troops. War is no game; it's real and awful. And yet, throughout our country's history, the American soldier has chosen to put his own life in danger, so that his fellow countrymen could live in peace and freedom. That, folks, is sacrifice.</div>
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Here I am, shooting (or rather, <i>attempting to shoot</i>) clay pigeons. I never did hit any!</div>
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Aaron Nyitrai, showing us how it is done. He used to shoot clays at competitions, so he rarely misses!</div>
Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-79479570461985836492014-05-27T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-27T05:00:06.333-05:00Psalm 145<div style="text-align: center;">
Psalm 145 </div>
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<i>I will extol thee, my God, O king;</i></div>
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<i>and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.</i></div>
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<i>2 Every day will I bless thee;</i></div>
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<i>and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.</i></div>
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<i>3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;</i></div>
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<i>and his greatness is unsearchable.</i></div>
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<i>4 One generation shall praise thy works to another,</i></div>
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<i>and shall declare thy mighty acts.</i></div>
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<i>5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty,</i></div>
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<i>and of thy wondrous works.</i></div>
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<i>6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts:</i></div>
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<i>and I will declare thy greatness.</i></div>
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<i>7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness,</i></div>
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<i>and shall sing of thy righteousness.</i></div>
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<i>8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion;</i></div>
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<i>slow to anger, and of great mercy.</i></div>
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<i>9 The Lord is good to all:</i></div>
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<i>and his tender mercies are over all his works.</i></div>
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<i>10 All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord;</i></div>
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<i>and thy saints shall bless thee.</i></div>
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<i>11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom,</i></div>
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<i>and talk of thy power;</i></div>
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<i>12 to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts,</i></div>
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<i>and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.</i></div>
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<i>13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,</i></div>
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<i>and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.</i></div>
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<i>14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall,</i></div>
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<i>and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.</i></div>
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<i>15 The eyes of all wait upon thee;</i></div>
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<i>and thou givest them their meat in due season.</i></div>
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<i>16 Thou openest thine hand,</i></div>
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<i>and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.</i></div>
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<i>17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways,</i></div>
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<i>and holy in all his works.</i></div>
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<i>18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him,</i></div>
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<i>to all that call upon him in truth.</i></div>
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<i>19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him:</i></div>
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<i>he also will hear their cry, and will save them.</i></div>
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<i>20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him:</i></div>
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<i>but all the wicked will he destroy.</i></div>
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<i>21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord:</i></div>
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<i>and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.</i></div>
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May this be the prayer of all of our hearts; may we praise the Lord continually for His grace and goodness to us; truly, His "greatness is unsearchable."</div>
Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-65182762719169486052014-05-26T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-27T14:31:38.365-05:00Memorial Day- Remembering the Fallen To some Americans, today is just another holiday. Another day to take off work, go fishing, have a picnic, or spend time with family and friends. Too often, we forget the countless multitudes who have sacrificed their lives so that we could have these blessings. We have become so calloused in America; we take our freedom for granted. We think that because we are born in a free country, we deserve freedom. Folks, we don't deserve ANYTHING. Everything we have is a gift from God, and the freedoms we enjoy every day are ours ONLY because of the multitudes of brave American soldiers who have given THEIR lives, so that we could live OUR lives in freedom. We owe our fallen soldiers a debt of gratitude that we can never repay; let us then live our lives in the same way they lived theirs; let us live for others. <br />
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As you and your family celebrate this Memorial day, remember this- there are some who will never again have their whole family together to celebrate ANY holiday, because someone in their family laid down their life so you could keep yours. And to all of our military- we salute you this day for the sacrifice you have made; for the price you have paid. To the rest of us- may we always remember and honor those who have sacrificed their lives so selflessly for us; may we always remember that freedom is <b>NEVER</b> free.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13</span></div>
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Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-58635608345821517092014-05-23T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-23T05:00:00.041-05:00"How is it That Ye Have No Faith?" (Part Two)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Love. I truly believe that this is what the disciples were missing; they didn't understand God's love! I John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." If "perfect love" casteth out fear, then what is perfect love? Is it us loving God perfectly? No, because I John 4:10 says, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> What, then, is "perfect love"? The answer is found in I John 4:16-17, which says, "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." Verse 17 starts out by saying, "Herein is our love made perfect," thus referencing what has just been said in verse 16. What does verse 16 say is the way to have "perfect love"? It gives us three keys-</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> #1. We must KNOW God's love. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Think about it- no one ever experienced God's love without first KNOWING that it existed! That may sound elementary, but it's true. We can't be made perfect in God's love without first knowing that it exists.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> #</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. We must BELIEVE God's love. Acts 16:31 says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." No one can get saved without BELIEVING on Jesus Christ. And why do we believe on Him for Salvation? Because of the love that He poured out on Calvary! If a person doesn't BELIEVE that Jesus loves them, then why would they trust Him for Salvation?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> #3. We must DWELL in God's love. I believe that this is where most Christians, including myself, fail. We KNOW about the love of God, we BELIEVE in the love of God, and yet we often fail to DWELL in the love of God. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dwelling in God's love is simply this - a conscious, continuous state of making God’s love our habitation. Dwelling in God’s love is like dwelling in your house- you live there. Dwelling in God's love is accepting the fact that God loves us so much that He has given us everything we need, and that He will take care of us in every situation. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Luke 12:6-7 says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” What is Jesus saying in these verses? Fear not, because God loves you! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Regardless of what we </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">go through, God is in complete control. If you are His child, then he has already promised to work everything out for your good (Romans 8:28). He does ALL things well! Do I fully understand why everything in my life happens the way it does? No, I don't. But when the circumstances of life are beyond my control, I know that I can safely trust the Love of God!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Could we with ink the ocean fill,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Were every stalk on earth a quill,</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>And every man a scribe by trade;</i></span></div>
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To write the love of God above</div>
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Would drain the ocean dry;</div>
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Nor could the scroll contain the whole,</div>
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Though stretched from sky to sky.</div>
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Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!</div>
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How measureless and strong!</div>
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It shall forevermore endure—</div>
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The saints’ and angels’ song.</div>
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Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-56852925796595881822014-05-22T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-22T21:54:50.823-05:00"How is it That Ye Have No Faith?" (Part One) Fear, Distress, Anxiety, Worry. We could go on and on and on. Let's be honest with ourselves; we <b>all </b>face these things. Now, contrast that list with the following list- Faith, Hope, Endurance, Trust. These two lists are at complete odds with each other; they simply cannot co-exist. All we must do is simply choose the second list over the first. That sounds like a simple enough solution, but it's extremely hard to do! <br />
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So often we end up like Peter- stepping out of the boat, only to take our eyes off of Jesus and start sinking! At which point we quickly call out to God to save us, which He always does; we are then left wondering w<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hy we ever took our eyes off of Him in the first place. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Mark 4:35-41 tells us the following story- "<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="text Mark-4-35" id="en-AKJV-24359">And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="text Mark-4-36" id="en-AKJV-24360">And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="text Mark-4-37" id="en-AKJV-24361">And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-38" id="en-AKJV-24362">And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="text Mark-4-39" id="en-AKJV-24363"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-40" id="en-AKJV-24364">And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365">And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365"> There are five things that stuck out to me in this story-</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365">1. Jesus <b>led</b> the disciples into the storm! Chew on that for a minute! There are times in our lives when God will lead us into a storm, simply to test and strengthen our faith. However, I'm so thankful that He never abandons us in the storm! (Now, I'm not saying that God <b>creates </b>every storm that we go through. There are some things that happen that God does not orchestrate; for example, school shootings, terrorist attacks, etc. However, God is always <b>in control</b> of the storm, He can always teach us something <b>through </b>the storm, and He does <b>all things well.)</b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365">2. Jesus was <b>asleep </b>during the storm! Remember this- God is <b>never</b> in a hurry, but <b>always</b> on time. Jesus wasn't sleeping because He didn't care about the disciples, or because He wasn't aware of what was going on. He was simply allowing them to learn a lesson!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365">3. The disciples actually had the audacity to ask<b> </b>Jesus, the creator of the universe, if He cared that they were dying! I don't know about you, but I'm sitting here thinking- "Come on guys, of <b>course</b> he cares! Besides, do you think you are actually going to sink with Jesus in the boat? I mean, what's He gonna do; watch you go down, and then go water-walking? <b>YOU GUYS HAVE LOST YOUR MINDS!" </b></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yet how is it, that we are so often the same way? We are conscious of the fact that God will never fail us, and yet we lose sight of that fact in the moment that we need God the most!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365">4. Jesus calmed the storm, but only <b>after </b>the disciples gave up in desperation and asked Him to! Wow! </span></span>How many times do I struggle through storms longer that necessary, just because I don’t surrender and ask God for help?! Now, I'm not saying that God will immediately calm the storm in the <i style="font-weight: bold;">circumstances,</i><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>but He will always calm the storm in our <i style="font-weight: bold;">heart </i>and give us peace if we allow Him to.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Mark-4-41" id="en-AKJV-24365">5. In the end, the disciples <b>still</b> didn't understand who Jesus was! That's unbelievable!!! They went through the entire storm and saw Jesus do a great miracle, only to say, "</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" How often are we just like the disciples? We go through a great storm, ask God to help us, see Him work in a mighty way, and then act shocked that He was powerful enough to answer our request? After all, He's God!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> In this story, though, there is one thing that caught my attention above everything else. After calming the storm, Jesus asked the disciples, "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" Tomorrow, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will post what I believe to be the answer. It's one of the most freeing, life-changing truths I have ever learned!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-80538556995887384032014-05-21T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-21T15:44:35.312-05:00A Tail of Midnight Company<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, if you are expecting something super-encouraging today, I'm sorry; you will probably be let down. If you want a good laugh (at my expense), then I may be able to help you out. Let me take you back to a night several weeks ago.......</div>
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I was sitting at the table in my apartment (Around 11 p.m.), typing some things that God had recently shown me, when I thought I heard a noise at the bottom of the steps leading up to my apartment. Now, before I continue my story, let me give you a brief overview of the apartment. It is located right behind the stage/baptistry. It is accessed by a flight of stairs which begin in the back hallway. There are four stairs, then a landing where you make a 180 degree turn, and then nine more stairs leading to the top. There is no door at the top, so when you reach the top of the stairs, you walk right into the main room of the apartment (which serves as my living room, dining room, kitchen, office, etc.). Then there is a hallway that leads to the bedrooms. (The room I sleep in is about six feet down the hallway on the right, the other one is about fifteen feet farther down the hallway on the left.) </div>
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Now back to the story. I was sitting at the table, typing away (knowing I should go to bed, but not wanting to because the thoughts just kept coming, and I was in the mood to keep typing), when I thought I heard a noise at the bottom of the stairs. Now, I am not overly fond of spending evenings by myself, first of all because I like being around people, and secondly because I really don't care to be in a building alone at night! (I am getting used to it, though, and it's not too bad.) Well, I really didn't think much of the first noise, because this building makes little creaks and groans anyway, so I figured that was probably what it was. Well, I heard the noise on the steps once or twice more, and although I still didn't think it was anything more than the building creaking, it did start getting on my nerves! Well, a little bit later, I heard a scuffle at the top of the steps, and I freaked out! I seriously thought someone was breaking in! Well, I was partly right, only the "someone" happened to be a mouse! Now, before you get too hard on me for being jumpy, put yourself in my situation! What would <b>you</b> have done if <b>you</b> were <b>alone</b> in an apartment in a church at 11 p.m., and <b>you</b> heard what sounded like a bull elephant coming around the corner??? (Sound <b>slightly</b> exaggerated to help you appreciate the gravity of the situation.) </div>
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Well, after I got over my shock, my fear turned to anger- who did this little dude think he was? He was invading my privacy, and moreover, I had quite a bit of food in the room; I wasn't at all relishing the idea of him relishing my victuals, especially not the chocolate-chip cookies that a dear lady had just given me! Well, I spent about forty minutes trying to find the mouse (he had gone into hiding), and then chasing him when I did find him. (He had gone behind the couch, a mouse's favorite hiding place.) Well, I just couldn't pin him down- it's kinda hard to chase a mouse all by yourself! Anyway, I finally lost him, and had to give up in defeat; I did set two mousetraps for him soon after.</div>
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Well, I did not see or hear this rascal for about two weeks, and I was beginning to think that he had left for good; then came Monday night. I was in my room, chatting with my sister on gmail. The computer was setting on the bed, and I was kneeling beside the bed. (This is not the position I am generally in when using a computer, but that's beside the point.) Anyway, we were chatting away, when, without warning, I heard a commotion at my bedroom door. I was <b>convinced </b>that someone was breaking in! Then I saw a dark object streak by me, and disappear under the bed. That was <b>too much</b> for my nerves to handle! (The following is an excerpt from my conversation with my sister.)</div>
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<i> I just got FREAKED OUT! A mouse ran within about TWO FEET of where I was kneeling at my bed typing!</i><br />
<i>I shrieked!</i><br />
<i> chelsy: oh my word!! i can imagine!! did you never catch one? or do you have more than one> buy some mouse traps!</i><br />
<i> me: I heard a noise outside my door, and I could tell it was something (I literally thought SOMEONE!!!!)</i><br />
<i> chelsy: scary...</i><br />
<i> me: I have had traps set since a day or two after I saw the first one!</i><br />
<i>This dude ran UNDER MY BED!</i><br />
<i> me: AND THERE IS NO PLACE TO HIDE UNDER MY BED, SO IM THINKING HE MAY BE IN THE BED!</i><br />
<i>Goodnight, sleep well!</i><br />
<i> chelsy: okay...you too? hopefully the mouse is not in your bed. didn't you say there is a top bunk?</i><br />
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<i> </i>That is a good explanation of what happened! Chelsy had to go at this point in the conversation, but I was going to tell her that I was <b>not</b> moving to the top bunk just because I thought a mouse might be in the bottom one. (We have had mice in my room at home before; in fact, we saw one in my brothers' bed one time. Sleeping in the same room as a mouse isn't too bad.) That said, I <b>wasn't</b> going to drop the issue. I looked under the bed, where, like I said, there is <b>no</b> cover. Nothing. Then I preceded to <b>dismantle </b>the<b> </b>bed; first I removed the blanket, then the comforter, then the sheet, then the mattress, then the box spring. Nothing. Finally, I made a slight inspection of the top bunk (I wasn't really in the mood to have to put <b>two</b> beds back together, so I didn't tear this one apart.) Still nothing. <br />
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(Here are a couple photos of what my room looked like after I dissected the bottom bunk.)</div>
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Eventually, I gave up in disgust, and again knelt by my bed. After thinking about my visitor for a little while, I decided that, since there was nothing else I could do about the situation, I might as well pray and go to bed. Well, I had been praying for a little while (mostly about other things, although I did ask God to help me find and kill my obnoxious intruder), when, suddenly, I heard a noise from the direction of the closet. I thought- <b>"YES!!! </b> If he has sought cover in the closet, then he has run into a trap!" I grabbed a shoe, and made my way to the closet to evaluate the situation. Now, this closet is not very big (about 2 1/2 by 5 feet), with just one door- one way in, and one way out. Well, as I knelt down, something caught my eye- I saw a <b>tail</b> (no body, just a tail), hanging out from the bottom of the ironing board. Now, in case you are not up on the anatomy of animals, tails never go places by themselves; there is <b>always</b> an animal attached to a tail. (Or is the tail attached to the animal?) Anyway, I thought, "You dummy! You just ran into a trap!" I took my guitar case, a pair of pants, and some pillows, and made a blockade (pictured below), thus shrinking the field of battle considerably. Then I pondered my next move- should I grab the tail, and thus capture my victim? This is probably what my brother Joshua would have done (He has picked up live mice before, <b>and been bitten by one</b>.), but my courage failed me. So I contented myself with shaking the ironing board a few times, until the furry villain finally came out to offer battle. Actually, it wasn't much of a battle- he just ran in circles while I made wild swings at him! Finally, I connected! After the first hit, things just get better- the mouse got slower, and I began to score more hits! Finally, he went down, never to rise again. I picked up the deceased and carried him to the morgue (aka bathroom), where I took a few photos for his obituary. If you are interested in seeing them, you can scroll down the page at this time. </div>
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Usually, a mouse doesn't look this good when I'm through with him. But this one had the benefit of being on carpet; plus, I didn't want to leave a big mess on the floor, so I ceased the beating as quickly as possible.</div>
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Apart from his bloody nose, I think he could pass for a live mouse.</div>
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It would take me a <b>long time</b> to grow whiskers like that!</div>
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The end!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a <b><i>tail</i></b> that is told." (Psalm 90:9)</span></div>
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Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-23342141125425174522014-05-20T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-21T15:44:11.464-05:00Random Thoughts and Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are a few pictures that I took yesterday-</div>
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This waterfall is fed by the overflow from a lake. It's not a big waterfall compared to some, but it's beautiful! (The picture doesn't do it justice!)<br />
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My creative juices aren't flowing right now, and I'm having a hard time thinking of something to write; I'm just feeling rather tired and melancholy! But I know this- God is good regardless of how I feel; I am so blest! Today I was feeling rather discouraged, but then I decided to count the blessings in my life and to start praising God for them. It's amazing how it works, but when I take my eyes off of my problems and start counting my blessings, my problems get smaller! </div>
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Also, I decided to make a few phone calls and send a few texts to encourage people; this is a great way to have your spirits lifted! And it's Biblical- II Corinthians 1:3-4 says, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." God gives us comfort in our trials; then we are to comfort others in their trials! </div>
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So next time you are discouraged, give thanks for your blessings, and find someone to encourage!</div>
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(P.S. These thoughts are not original with me; I am so grateful for those who God has placed in my to help me along the way, and who have shared these concepts with me.)</div>
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<br />Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-45802812270772908022014-05-19T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-21T15:43:52.416-05:00Let Me Hide Behind the Cross Here is just a simple thought, but one that I desperately need to remember every day- every Spiritual truth that I have received, and every Spiritual lesson that I have learned, have been only through the Lord Jesus Christ, and not by my own intellect! Oh that this truth might penetrate every corner of my heart every moment of my life! <br />
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I Corinthians 4:7 says, "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" Why do we think that we are so brilliant because of what we know? The Holy Spirit is the one who reveals things to us! <br />
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Take a look at this passage of Scripture- "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." ( I Corinthians 2:9-14) Apart from the Spirit of God, we cannot learn <b>anything!</b> We ought not to think that we are so great because of what <b>we</b> have learned from the Bible; we ought rather to give thanks to God for His graciousness in being patient with us and teaching us! Oh, may we never forget to keep our eyes on Him; He alone is the giver of Life.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Galatians 6:14)</span></div>
Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-38726716635025763882014-05-16T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-21T15:43:35.210-05:00Humility<br />
I read the following portion of scripture recently; take a look at it, and notice the highlighted words. "And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, <b>Thou</b> hast shewed unto <b>thy </b>servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before <b>thee </b>in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with <b>thee</b>; and<b> thou</b> hast kept for him this great kindness, that <b>thou</b> hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, <b>thou</b> hast made<b> thy</b> servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And <b>thy</b> servant is in the midst of <b>thy</b> people which<b> thou</b> hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore <b>thy</b> servant an understanding heart to judge <b>thy</b> people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this <b>thy</b> so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing." (I Kings 3:4-10) <br />
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Obviously, Solomon had his priorities right when he asked for an understanding heart. But notice how he asked. He didn't just say, "God, please give <b>me</b> an understanding heart to judge <b>my</b> people." He prayed, "Give therefore <b>thy</b> servant an understanding heart to judge <b>thy</b> people." Solomon used the words "thee," "thou," and "thy" fourteen times! He understood two important things- 1. Who he was- "a little child." 2. Who he was talking to- God. Solomon asked <b>in humility.</b><br />
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Wow! How often do I pray, "God, please give <b>me</b> wisdom to make <b>this</b> decision about what<b> I'm </b> going to do at this point in <b>my</b> life." Instead, I should be asking God to show me <b>His </b>will so that I can live this life for <b>Him. </b>James 4:3 says, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that <b>ye</b> may consume it upon <b>your </b>lusts." I wonder how many times we don't receive an answer from God because we ask for the wrong reason or with the wrong attitude?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> "By <b>humility and the fear of the Lord</b> are riches, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">honour, and life." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 22:4</span></div>
Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631600843022514229.post-70149392066712846202014-05-15T05:00:00.000-05:002014-05-21T15:43:18.000-05:00God is Faithful Oftentimes, we get so busy or so burdened with the things of this life, that we fail to take time to reflect on the faithfulness of God. How many times do we ask Him for wisdom or guidance in a particular situation, and then fail to recognize when He gives us what we asked for? God never abandons His children, and He is always there when we need Him most!<br />
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Just as in nature, God's children go through seasons of life. But no matter how long and hard the winter, we can always be assured that spring will come again!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (I Cor. 1:9)</span></div>
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(Pictures by Chelsy)</div>
Mitchell Bontragerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11532889176009521230noreply@blogger.com0