| Suicide strikes...AGAIN!This may wind up
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| | himself, enthroning himself as "lord" of
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| being the most important article some
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| | his own life. By placing Jesus Christ on
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| have ever read. I hope it will not only
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| | the throne of our lives, spiritually, we
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| help a few readers, but that it will open
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| | become what the Bible calls "born again"
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| the eyes of others, aiding in their
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| | and we're completely transformed as we
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| understanding, motivating them to help. I
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| | renew our minds. According to the
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| trust there will be those who will
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| | Scriptures, that same Spirit that raised
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| actually clip it, mailing it to someone
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| | Jesus from the dead dwells within us, His
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| for whom they are concerned, or posting
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| | followers. Again, this has been my
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| it in the breakroom.I've written quite a
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| | expereince and, I contend, the very
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| bit about suicide over the past few weeks
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| | answer that someone somewhere is needing.
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| and have received some remarkable
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| | Your reading of this now is no
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| feedback. I wrote on the subject because
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| | accident.Dust off that old Bible and look
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| there have been so many suicides lately
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| | up the following verses: John 1:12; II
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| and folks wanted answers. If you've read
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| | Corinthians 5:17;I Corinthians 2:12; I
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| any of the previous articles, you've seen
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| | John 5:11-13.Jesus said, "Here I am! I
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| some frightening statistics. This subject
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| | stand at the door and knock. If anyone
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| remains heavy on my heart and continues
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| | hears my voice and opens the door, I will
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| to be a concern to many.
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| | come in and eat with him and he with me"
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| For me, it started when a man with whom
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| | (Revelation 3:20). He's knocking right
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| a dear friend had been interacting was
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| | now. Open the door.Three Keys to
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| found in his jail cell with a cable TV
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| | Vicorious Living1) Talk to God. We call
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| wire around his neck. Then, another
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| | it "prayer" but it's merely conversation
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| friend who led a Bible study took his own
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| | with God. TWO-WAY conversation at that.
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| life. Within days, this was followed by
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| | So, be quiet and listen sometimes.2)
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| the suicide of another man who, along
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| | Begin reading the Bible. Get to know the
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| with his spouse, had prayed with and
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| | Personality of the one who made came up
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| comforted the previous friend's
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| | with all those Precepts for living life
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| wife.Saturday, I officiated a wedding 2
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| | with Power. You'll find He's the kindest
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| hours away. Incredibly, on Sunday, the
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| | person you'll ever meet. Talk with Him as
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| father of the bride took his own life.My
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| | if He were your best friend.
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| mind is reeling as I write.Suicide has a
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| | He IS!3) Make yourself accountable to
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| frightening air of finality. Filled with
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| | those who are living the Christian life
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| hopelessness, despair, and tragedy, it's
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| | successfully. Like all babies, even baby
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| a word we like to keep at arms' length.
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| | Chrsitians should aspire to GROW to
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| As a whole, society tends to look down
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| | maturity. In a nutshell, we become that
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| its nose at anyone who would commit this
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| | with which we surround ourselves.
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| gruesome act. We call them selfish,
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| | Surround yourselves with godly people and
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| cowardly...I must admit, after seeing
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| | godly input.What if You're Already a
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| that beautiful young bride and her
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| | Christian?First, ask yourself if you
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| dashing husband on Saturday, preparing to
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| | really ARE a Christian. The word
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| begin their lives together, if her father
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| | 'Christian' translates as "Little
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| were standing alive before me now, I'd
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| | Christs." Galatians 5:22 tells us what
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| have a hard time refraining from beating
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| | the fruits of the Spirit are, the
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| the thunder out of him. How could he do
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| | evidence that God's Spirit resides in us.
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| that to his precious daughter?But I
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| | Too many people believe themselves to be
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| recall the day, about 15 years ago, that
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| | Christians simply because they believe in
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| suicide entered my thoughts in a
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| | God. Scripture declares that "even the
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| different way. I had just lost my job
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| | devil believes, and he trembles." Truth
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| with a Dallas ad agency and my wife had
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| | is, unless we spend time with Him, how
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| left me, taking our kids with her. For
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| | can we know Him at all? What relationship
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| the first time in my life, I was all
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| | works like that? Logically speaking,
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| alone on a Thanksgiving, too broke to
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| | Church attendence doesn't make one a
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| join any family gatherings taking place
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| | Christian any more than going to
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| across the country. Our church friends
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| | McDonald's makes one a cheeseburger.
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| had quickly chosen sides and had shunned
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| | Besides, Church is something we ARE 24/7
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| yours truly. It was Thanksgiving Eve,
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| | (meaning: "the called out ones"); it's
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| sleeting and raining, about 16 below zero
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| | not merely someplace we GO.To those who
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| with the wind chill. I was sleeping on a
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| | DO have a relationship with God, the
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| mattress on the floor of a mobile home,
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| | enemy of our souls can cause any of us to
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| my entire world seemingly in shambles all
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| | feel depressed and have suicidal thoughts
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| around me. I remember waking up to the
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| | in a moment of weakness. So might a
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| whirring sound of ball bearings rolling
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| | chemical imbalance. It can happen for all
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| around in the furnace which was now
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| | of the same reasons mentioned above. The
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| spewing forth cold air. I was dizzy,
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| | trials of life touch everyone, including
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| disoriented, freezing to death in my
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| | Believers in Jesus.If the situation you
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| sleep, I believe. Taking my own life with
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| | are in is something you can't change,
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| the razor sharp meat clever in the
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| | know that God's the Inventor of Divine
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| kitchen was the most natural thought in
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| | Intervention. As hard as it may be to do,
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| the world to me. I formulated a plan to
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| | continue praying for His help and covet
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| slit my wrists, crawl back onto my
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| | the prayers of other victorious
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| mattress, and let them find me in the
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| | Christians. Don't stop. He does hear our
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| spring. Truly, I was experiencing the
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| | prayers, but His perfect plan and ours
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| darkest hour of my soul.But God stepped
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| | aren't always the same. Trust Him to
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| in. The atmosphere became charged as it
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| | respond in a way that will be to your
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| does when a frisky puppy runs into a room
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| | best interest. That includes the
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| or a bunch of children run through an
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| | possibility that He will give you
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| open screen door to get a drink from the
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| | strength and peace to endure your trial
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| kitchen sink on a hot summer day. "Joy
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| | rather than deliver you from it. He's so
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| will come in the morning" suddenly echoed
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| | much more concerned about our character
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| through my mind. I bundled up and made it
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| | than our comfort. His number one goal is
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| through the night, only to be awakened
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| | to conform us to the image of Christ who,
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| next day by a startling crash as a sheet
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| | Scripture tells us, was Himself sent by
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| of ice melted and slid off the metal roof
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| | the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be
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| onto the frozen ground. I looked outside
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| | tempted by the devil (Jesus is truly our
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| and the sun was glistening off the
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| | example in EVERY way). Some of God's
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| melting ice everywhere.Life got gradually
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| | greatest answers to prayer come in the
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| better. Incredibly better. Today, I
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| | form of peace and joy in the midst of
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| wouldn't trade mine for all the
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| | great hardship. You can believe that He
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| world.Truth is, I discovered another
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| | will see you through every storm in your
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| option to suicide. I found it in the
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| | life.Along those lines, take a look at
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| Bible, God's love letter to mankind. You
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| | these verses: Psalm 23; Psalm 28:7;
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| know...that perennially best-selling book
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| | Isaiah 43:2; Romans 8:28; Philippians
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| most Christians rarely read? The good
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| | 4:13.We are spirit-beings having an
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| news about the current state of
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| | earthly experience. As such, you must ask
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| depression some may be feeling at this
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| | God to fill you with His Spirit to help
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| moment, is that God really DOES have a
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| | you tackle life by His power. Scripture
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| plan for your life - a plan that can only
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| | declares, "You will receive power when
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| be fulfilled when we give everything over
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| | the Holy Spirit comes upon you." The
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| to Him. Listen, there IS a purpose for
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| | Bible is full of God's promises to love,
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| your life; a reason for your existence.
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| | strengthen, heal, and guide.The
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| Your current, dismal, emotional and
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| | Purpose-Driven Life is a Top-Selling book
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| spiritual state may be the very
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| | these days. Begin reading God's Word in a
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| springboard you need for discovering just
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| | Purpose-Driven manner: to discover new
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| how valuable you are to Him, how your
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| | insights about His love for you. Ask the
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| life can be transformed, and how others
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| | Holy Spirit to guide your journey and to
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| can be rescued by YOU.
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| | reveal truths you've never seen before.
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| Tough times do NOT last. Tough people
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| | He's the consummate teacher, after all.
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| DO!Perhaps you've asked yourself, "How
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| | Accept the fact of God's love for you by
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| did I get to this point?" The answer?
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| | faith, NOT by feelings.Look at these
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| Gradually, just as drops of water will
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| | verses and receive them from God directly
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| slowly but surley fill a bucket. Everyone
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| | to you: John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Isaiah
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| goes through periods in their lives when
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| | 40:31; Isaiah 41:10; Lamentations
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| they feel down. In time, sadness leaves
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| | 3:22-23.Today's culture detests any
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| and life goes on. There are instances,
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| | mention of this word, but here goes: SIN.
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| however, when tough times, a strained
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| | If you want to walk in victory,
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| relationship or some other problem, leads
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| | acknowledge any sin that might be
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| to unhappiness that keeps us in bondage.
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| | interfering in your relationship with
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| When that happens, life can become a
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| | God. Ask Him to search your heart and
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| daily struggle with uneasiness, gloom,
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| | pinpoint any problems. Then, confess and
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| and emptiness. Ultimately, hopelessness
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| | repent of your disobedience and receive
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| can take hold, creating a feeling of
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| | his forgiveness. Confess means "to agree"
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| dissatisfaction with
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| | and repent means "to change your
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| everything.Depression is often associated
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| | mind."Here are some verses for dealing
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| with a sense of loss that can come with
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| | with sin: I John 1:9; Psalm 139:23-24;
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| illness, the death of a loved one, sudden
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| | Galatians 5:16-25.Help Yourself to some
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| unemployment, divorce, and so on. A
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| | help!As part of the Body of Christ, you
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| chronic illness, or permanent disability,
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| | may wish to consult help from other Body
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| can rob one's independence, making them
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| | Parts. Professional help in the form of a
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| feel worthless, helpless, and angry.
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| | qualified Christian counselor has proven
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| Losing someone you care about, through
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| | to be one of the best ways to fight
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| death or divorce, can leave a tremendous
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| | depression and thoughts of suicide. Look
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| void.Guilt is another trigger for
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| | in the phone book and make some calls.
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| depression. Perhaps you're struggling
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| | Ask for references. A good pastoral
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| with substance abuse or another addiction
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| | counselor can help you get a new
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| or have made some really bad choices that
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| | perspective on your problems. Get a
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| you're ashamed of that are about to be
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| | medical check-up. Sometimes depression is
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| revealed. A childhood trauma may have
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| | caused by a chemical imbalance or other
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| left you feeling damaged and unworthy of
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| | biological factor.Seek out a support
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| God's love and acceptance. Maybe you feel
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| | group made of like-minded believers that
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| like a failure because you haven't
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| | can minister to the area of difficulty in
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| achieved all that you wanted in
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| | your life. Interacting with others who
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| life.Whatever the cause, depression often
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| | are facing similar challenges will help
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| leads to a sense of hopelessness. You may
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| | you feel less isolated.Force yourself to
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| feel as though you're at the end of your
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| | do something the next time you feel down.
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| rope. You may think that ending your life
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| | Inactivity only makes depression worse.
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| is the only way to take control.Trust me,
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| | Here are some things to try:Talk it out.
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| it's not.What's next?
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| | Call a friend and open up.Take a hike.
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| The answer is simple. REALLY simple. You
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| | Exercise causes blood and oxygen to
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| can go on with life as usual, knowing
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| | circulate faster, which invigorates us.
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| where that may lead, or you can get a
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| | The brain produces endorphins that fight
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| life. I'm talkin' REAL life. For some,
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| | depression.Help someone else. As you
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| the fact that you're still reading this
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| | focus your attention on someone else,
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| shows that you desire another option. So,
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| | your own cares will become less
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| here's my answer. Ready? It's my
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| | burdensome. I often refer people to watch
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| experience that there is only one real
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| | "Patch Adams" with Robin Williams, then
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| source of hope for a life of purpose,
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| | report to me on their findings. Don't
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| fulfillment, and joy.That source has a
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| | judge me on that; lives have been saved.
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| name...it's Jesus Christ.It is my firm
| |
| | God can use anything.Listen to uplifting
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| contention that Jesus is the answer to
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| | music. Choose your favorite songs and
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| every problem known to mankind. To those
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| | start jammin'!Here's the good news:
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| who are still with me, that's either
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| | Whatever you're struggling with at the
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| absolute truth or it's a lie. He said
| |
| | moment, this too shall pass. Whatever it
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| about His followers, "I have come that
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| | is you're going through, you WILL go
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| they may have life, and have it to the
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| | through it. Though things may actually
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| full" (John 10:10). If that statement is
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| | get worse before they get better, they
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| true, logic screams for us to quickly
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| | WILL get better as you place them in
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| become His followers. We must address the
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| | God's hands. Yes, we reap as we sow and
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| question, "If I'm not living real life,
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| | there may be some really tough
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| what is THIS?" Through a REAL,
| |
| | consequences forthcoming to deal with.
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| experiential relationship with Jesus
| |
| | But whatever you do, deal with
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| Christ, overflowing love, forgiveness,
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| | it!Remember, "All things work together
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| peace, and joy can be ours. Interested?
| |
| | for good for those who love God and have
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| That's a promise from God found in the
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| | been called according to His purpose."
|
| Bible.And God doesn't lie.Sadly, far too
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| | Translation? God takes care of the lives
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| often, even Christians settle for
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| | of those who turn their lives over to
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| Religion and Church attendance over a
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| | Him.Resist any thoughts you may be having
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| relationship with the Creator through
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| | about "ending it all." God has the
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| Christ's teachings found in Scripture.The
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| | uncanny ability of taking that which
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| How-to's of OvercomingI failed to mention
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| | seems really bad and making things turn
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| that all the recent local suicides have
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| | out really good.If you'd like to
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| been committed by professing Christians.
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| | subscribe and receive more of pastor
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| Did Jesus promise His followers a
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| | Michael's articles by eMail, simply write
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| problem-free life on Earth? No. He
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| | and type SUBSCRIBE in the SUBJECT bar.
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| actually said, "In this life, you will
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| | Or, keep returning to these Pastor
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| have many troubles...." He DID promise
| |
| | Michael has been broadcasting messages of
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| the power to face life's trials with
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| | Discipleship & Encouragement to the Body
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| confidence, knowing that He will cause
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| | of Christ by email since 1999. Since then
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| ALL things to work for our good.By the
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| | these messages have been published on
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| way, the Greek word for "all" means
| |
| | numerous other sites, reprinted in paper
|
| ALL!He promised either to deliver us from
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| | newsletters belonging to other
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| afflictions, or provide the strength to
| |
| | ministries, have been used as a source of
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| endure them, according to His plan for
| |
| | teaching and preaching by ministers and
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| us. Here's the catch: to set that plan in
| |
| | Bible teachers worldwide, and have
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| motion requires giving our lives to
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| | ministered to the Body of Christ of
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| Him.As Bob Dylan sang, "We're gonna serve
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| | nearly every major denomination.
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| somebody." Even the atheist serves
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| |
|
