July 29, August 5, 12 & 19, 2007

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=3 height=110 BGCOLOR="#666699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04a00840erlcjm.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>July 29, August 5, 12 & 19, 2007</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>|     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="New Beginnings Fellowship"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=175 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" background="04411c00egdysm.gif"> <div> <B>Pastors Notes:</B></div> <div> <B>Tim Hall</B></div> <div> <B>Return to-</B></div> <div> <A HREF="pastor.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pastoral Ministry"><U><B>Pastoral Ministry</B></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="13c2584d0.jpg" border=0 width="88" height="77" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>MP3 Download</B></div> <div> 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HREF="worldvsword.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10/29, 11/5 19, 12/3/2006"><U>10/29, 11/5 & 19, 12/3/2006</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="cazarin1112.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="November 12, 2006"><U>November 12, 2006</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=333 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="podcastinfo.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Podcast Info"><U><IMG SRC="123de33e0.gif" border=0 width="227" height="318" ALT="Sundays at New Beginnings" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="5"></U></A> <A NAME="the_trap"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>"The Trap"</B></FONT></div> <div> Tim Hall</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><I>Part 1                         Part 2 </I></FONT><A HREF="#_part_2" TITLE="July 29, August 5, 12 19, 2007"><U><B>A</B></U></A><B>     </B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://nbfirving.net/mp3/the%20trap/thetrappt1.mp3" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://nbfirving.net/mp3/the%20trap/thet"><U><IMG SRC="13c1cf680.jpg" border=0 width="207" height="104" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><A HREF="http://nbfirving.net/mp3/the%20trap/thetrappt2.mp3" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://nbfirving.net/mp3/the%20trap/thet"><U><IMG SRC="13c1cf680.jpg" border=0 width="207" height="104" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <B>  </B></div> <div> <B>   </B><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><I> Part 3</I><A HREF="#part_3" TITLE="July 29, August 5, 12 19, 2007"><U><I> </I></U></A></FONT><A HREF="#part_3" TITLE="July 29, August 5, 12 19, 2007"><U><B>A</B></U></A><B>        </B><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><I>Part 4</I><A HREF="#part_4" TITLE="July 29, August 5, 12 19, 2007"><U><I> </I></U></A></FONT><A HREF="#part_4" TITLE="July 29, August 5, 12 19, 2007"><U><B>A</B></U></A><A HREF="#part_4" TITLE="July 29, August 5, 12 19, 2007"><U><B> </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://nbfirving.net/mp3/the%20trap/thetrappt3.mp3" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://nbfirving.net/mp3/the%20trap/thet"><U><B><IMG SRC="13c1cf680.jpg" border=0 width="207" height="104" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><A HREF="http://nbfirving.net/mp3/the%20trap/thetrappt4.mp3" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://nbfirving.net/mp3/the%20trap/thet"><U><B><IMG SRC="13c1cf680.jpg" border=0 width="207" height="104" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div>    (Right click mp3 logo and "Save Target As" to download).</div> <bR> <bR> <div> All Scriptures, The Amplified Bible.</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>LUKE 17:1-5</B></FONT> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >1</FONT>AND [Jesus] said to His disciples, Temptations (snares, traps set to entice to sin) are sure to come, but woe to him by or through whom they come! <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >2</FONT>lt would be more profitable for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were hurled into the sea than that he should cause to sin or be a snare to one of these little ones [lowly in rank or influence]. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >3</FONT>Pay attention and always be on your guard [looking out for one another]. If your brother sins (misses the mark), solemnly tell him so and reprove him, and if he repents (feels sorry for having sinned), forgive him. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >4</FONT>And even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says, I repent [I am sorry], you must forgive him (give up resentment and consider the offense as recalled and annulled). <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >5</FONT>The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith (that trust and confidence that spring from our belief in God).</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>MATTHEW 24:4-13 </B></FONT>4<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. </FONT>5<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >For many will come in (on the strength of) My name [appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray. </FONT>6<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. </FONT>7<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place; </FONT>8<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >AII this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish]. </FONT>9<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. </FONT>10<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. </FONT>11<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. </FONT>12<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity, But he who endures to the end will be saved.</FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What was it that caused these disciples to say, "Lord, increase our faith"?</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">It was not the miracles; it was simply when Jesus said, when your brother offends you, forgive him.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">This word "temptation" or "offense" is an old Greek word, </B><I><B>Skandalon.</B></I></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">This word refers to the part of the trap to which the bait was attached. An offense is a temptation, a trick to entice you into the trap of the enemy.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>2 TIMOTHY 2:24-26 -</B> </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >24</FONT>And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >25</FONT>He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it], <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >26</FONT>And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7012200000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Jesus is God and He said it is impossible that no offenses should come. Most people that are offended don't know they are offended! Satan will use being offended as the bait to lure you into his trap.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>MATTHEW 24:10</B> </FONT>And then <B><U>many</U></B> will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred.</div> <bR> <div> The Greek word for many is <I><B>polus </B></I>which means much, many and great.</div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7012200000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The word in no way implies a few or some. It means a very large part of something. He is revealing the truth that in the last days a very large amount of people will be </B><B><U>offended </U></B><B>and will betray one another and hate one another. </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>PROVERBS 18:19</B> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >19</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >A brother offended is harder to be won over than a strong city, and [their] contentions separate them like the bars of a castle.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7012200000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Solomon was saying that a brother who is offended has put up walls. The New Testament word for walls is described as "stronghold”.</B></div> <bR> <div> 2<B> CORINTHINANS 10:4-5</B> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >4</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >5</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >[inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed On</FONT>e),</div> <bR> <div> <B>2 Corinthians 10:4-5</B> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >reveals what strongholds are: casting down every imagination, every reasoning. Strongholds are reasonings and thought processes that are contrary to the will or word of God.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7012200000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">If we set up expectations on people and they don't meet them; they offend us. That is why the closer someone is to you, or the more you trust them, the greater the possibility of them offending you.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">PSALM 55:12-14</B></FONT><B> </B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>12</B></FONT>For it is not an enemy who reproaches and taunts me-then I might bear it; nor is it one who has hated me who insolently vaunts himself against me-then I might hide from him.<B> </B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>13</B></FONT>But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>14</B></FONT>We had sweet fellowship together and used to walk to the house of God in company.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">When the walls are up, love is not flowing to give, give, give. The focus is defensive, protect, protect, protect. Don't let them hurt you again. Withdraw!</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What happens is an offended person says, I have been hurt and I don't want to be offended again. The walls come up in their mind, these thought patterns and reasonings to protect them from being hurt again. A person that has the walls up is a candidate for betrayal.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Betrayal is when I seek protection for my benefit at the expense of one I have a relationship with. A betrayal is the ultimate abandonment of a relationship.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>PROVERBS 18:1 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >HE WHO willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The man that has built walls will seek his own desire and will betray. If there is betrayal, it will ultimately lead to hatred.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>1 JOHN 3:14,15</B></FONT> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >14</FONT>We know that we have passed over out of death into Life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians). He who does not love abides (remains, is held and kept continually) in [spiritual] death. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >15</FONT>Anyone who hates (abominates, detests) his brother [in Christ] is [at heart] a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding (persevering) within him.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">When 1 John 3:14-15 speaks of "brother", it is not talking about sinners and it says he is a murderer. The life of the kingdom does not continually flow in him. Death is ministered to him and through him. Hatred means love-less, having no love or void of having the love of God.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8</B></FONT>. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >4</FONT>Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >5</FONT>lt is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >6</FONT>lt does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >7</FONT>Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >8</FONT>Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">People that are loved by God and love God are to let the love of God flow through them to others. We are to excel in the love of a Father that loves us too much.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Those that walk in His love are overcomers! Hatred is expressed through emotions and</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">words. BE ADVISED: It can be silent and disguised.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>MATTHEW 24:11 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">After massive offense, the offense turns into betrayal and hatred. After offense there is deception. An offended person deceives themselves. Offense is the breeding ground for deception. There is only one problem with deception. The deceived person does not know they are deceived.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>f</B><B>MATTHEW 7:15 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>PROVERBS 18:21</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>PROVERBS 18:1</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > HE WHO willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>MATTHEW 24:12</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity</FONT></div> <div> When the love of God grows cold, it is not instant. Coldness grows. You don't notice it. Keep yourself from the trap of offense. It is massive; it is rampant. Jesus said it would occur on a massive scale in the last days.</div> <div> <A HREF="#the_trap" TITLE="July 29, August 5, 12 19, 2007"><U><B>Back to Top</B></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I> </I><I> <A NAME="_part_2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></I><I> Part 2</I></div> <div> <B>LUKE 17:1</B>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >AND [Jesus] said to His disciples, Temptations (snares, traps set to entice to sin) are sure to come, but woe to him by or through whom they come!</FONT></div> <bR> <div> There are two basic categories of offended peo<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Those that have been genuinely mistreated.</FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Those that have been genuinely mistreated.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Those that think they have been mistreated, but they really haven't.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>PROVERBS 6:16-19</B></FONT>  <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >16</FONT>These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >17</FONT>A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >18</FONT>A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >19</FONT>A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.</div> <bR> <div> <B>DEUTERONOMY 30</B><B>:</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>19</B> </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">If you do not choose life, you already have death.  You have to make an active choice of life.  God will not violate your choice.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>GENESIS 30-50</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The older brothers were offended at Joseph so they betrayed  him.  Offense leads to betrayal.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Joseph lived 10 years without church, home groups, Bible classes and yet you never find one complaint, not one critical statement or negative remark.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>PSALM 105:18</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron,</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Joseph has done nothing but obey God, stay faithful to God and have a heart toward God.  From the pit to slavery, 10 years, he is faithful in serving, obeys God, flees immorality, he was falsely accused and thrown into a dungeon.  Listen, you may identify with this - It appears that the more I obey God and commit to Him, the worse things get.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>MALACHI 3:1-3</B></FONT>  <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >1</FONT>BEHOLD, I send My<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U> </U></FONT>messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me. And the Lord [the Messiah], Whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U> </U></FONT>Messenger or Angel of the covenant, Whom you desire, behold, He shall come, says the Lord of hosts.  <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >2</FONT>But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap;   <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >3</FONT>He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the priests, the sons of Levi, and refine them like gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord offerings in righteousness.</div> <bR> <div> There will be two types of people in the church during this refining:</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Group 1 will say what good is it that we have served you God?  We have kept your ordinances, we have kept your commands, we are looking at the wicked and they are laughing, living it up and having a great time.  I'm going through one test after another test.  It seems that the more I obey and the more I pray, the harder it gets or the worse things get. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Malachi 3:14</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  You have said, It is useless to serve God, and what profit is it if we keep His ordinances and walk gloomily and as if in mourning apparel before the Lord of hosts?</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Luke 8:13</B></FONT>  <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >13</FONT>And those upon the rock [are the people] who, when they hear [the Word], receive and welcome it with joy; but these have no root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation fall away (withdraw and stand aloof).</div> <bR> <div> <B>Malachi 3:13</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Your words have been strong and hard against Me, says the Lord. Yet you say, What have we spoken against You?</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Malachi 3:16</B></FONT> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >16</FONT>Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Group 2 will love God.  They are going to speak to one another the word of the Lord because they meditate on His name.  These people are going through the same trials but they are not complaining.</B></div> <bR> <div> They are keeping their focus on the faithfulness and goodness of God.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Psalm 37:3</B></FONT> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >3</FONT>Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.</div> <div> Joseph spent 2 years in a dungeon.  All of his freedom was taken away.  There was only one freedom not taken away; his ability to respond correctly and not to get offended.</div> <div> Hearken:  No man, no woman, no child and no devil can get you out of the will of God.  Joseph's brothers made the statements, “Come, therefore, let us kill him.”</div> <bR> <div> Genesis 37:20 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >So come on now, let us kill him and throw his body into some pit; then we will say [to our father], Some wild and ferocious animal has devoured him; and we shall see what will become of his dreams! </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Be advised:  God hates complaining.  Treat complaining like poison because that is exactly what it is = death.  Complaining says to God; I don't like what you are doing in my life.  You, as a Father, are abusing me.  It is a slam on the character of God to accuse Him of child abuse.  By complaining, you are saying, God, you are incompetent and you are not doing a good job.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Be advised:  The Bible says when the word is sown, affliction comes.  Persecution comes for the word's sake.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">When you make the wholehearted decision to go with God, the flow of this world is contrary to the flow of the kingdom of God.  You will meet opposition and resistance.  The decisions you make on how to respond to that opposition, resistance and persecution will determine your future.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">God's Word will always come to pass as long as you don't get offended.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Franklin Gothic Demi" >Luke 8:13, 15, 8  </FONT>13<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >And those upon the rock [are the people] who, when they hear [the Word], receive and welcome it with joy; but these have no root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation fall away (withdraw and stand aloof).  </FONT>15<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience.  </FONT>8<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >And some seed fell into good soil, and grew up and yielded a crop a hundred times [as great]. As He said these things, He called out, He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him consider and understand by hearing!</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Do you think God was caught by surprise when Joseph's brothers threw him into the pit?</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">God knows the end from the beginning.  God knew there would be mud on Joseph from the pit, marks of slavery, wounds from chains in prison, in his journey to become Prime Minister.  God receives much honor and glory from the life of Joseph.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The way we react to events in our life, we think God does not have a solution.  God brings the biggest test in Joseph's life right before the biggest breakthrough.  The greatest attacks in your life come before the great breakthroughs.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Isaiah 30, 31</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Look at David.  The very same day Saul is being put to death by the Philistines, the same day, his own men want to kill him, and he is at the lowest he has ever been.  If he would have lost it there, he would have lost his harvest.  Do not be weary in well doing.  You will harvest if you faint not.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Galations 6:9</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">God brings Joseph's greatest test at the end.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">God brings two men for him to minister to.  Can Joseph proclaim to those two men the faithfulness and goodness of God when he is not seeing it manifest in his life for 12 years.  A lot of believers stop believing, get offended at God and get bitter against God.  They would not have ministered the faithfulness and goodness of God and would have passed on their ticket out.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">For 12 years, God was developing the character for him to handle the leadership he was bringing him into.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>1 corinthians 10:13</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">God knows what is coming.  He has the way planned for escaping it.  Often the event that looks like a death of a vision or the abortion of God's plan actually ends up being the launching pad, or the road to fulfillment.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>James 4:7</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Like Joseph, the dream or vision God has given you will probably happen differently from your plan; surrender it.  His word and His promises will not fail.</B></div> <div> <A HREF="#the_trap" TITLE="July 29, August 5, 12 19, 2007"><U><B>Back to Top</B></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="part_3"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><I>Part 3</I></FONT></div> <div> <B>LUKE 17:11 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >And [Jesus] said to his disciples, temptations (snares, traps set to entice to sin) are sure to come, but woe to him by or through whom they come!</FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">It is impossible that no offenses should come. You will have opportunities to be offended and what you do with the offense will determine your future. Either you will become stronger or bitter.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">God has a plan that will work all things together for your good and His glory. Our all-knowing God knows ahead of time what the enemy does in your life to set the stage for a manifestation of His love and power that will be for your good and His glory! Anything that comes in your life, the Lord will use as a stepping stone if you respond with your heart toward Him. The very event that looks like a death of a vision is often the very platform for the fulfillment of a vision.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">1 SAMUEL 24</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hearken: Every person receiving adverse treatment from an authority, have similar thought patterns; what have I done to turn his heart against me? What have I done, what sin have I committed? A lot of times you have not done anything wrong. God will use bad leaders in our lives as instruments to purify us.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I SAMUEL 24:5 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Afterward, David's heart smote him because he had cut off Saul's skirt. David's heart was tender toward a leader that was trying to kill him.</FONT></div> <div> I SAMUEL 24:6-11 <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >6</FONT>He said to his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this to my master, the Lord's anointed, to put my hand out against him, when he is the anointed of the Lord. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >7</FONT>So David checked his men with these words and did not let them rise against Saul. But Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >8</FONT>David also arose afterward and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, my lord the king! And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and did obeisance. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >9</FONT>And David said to Saul, Why do you listen to the words of men who say, David seeks to do you harm? <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >10</FONT>Behold, your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I spared you; I said I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord's anointed. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >11</FONT>See, my father, see the skirt of your robe in my hand! Since I cut off the skirt of your robe and did not kill you, you know and see that there is no evil or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, yet you hunt my life to take it.</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.gif" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">1 SAMUEL 26:5-11</B></FONT><B> </B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >5</FONT>David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped, and saw where Saul lay with Abner son of Ner, commander of his army; and Saul was lying in the encampment, with the army encamped around him. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >6</FONT>Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, Who will go down with me into the camp of Saul? And Abishai said, I will go down with you. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >7</FONT>So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there Saul lay sleeping within the encampment with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the army lay round about him. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >8</FONT>Then said Abishai to David, God has given your enemy into your hands this day. Now therefore let me smite him to the earth at once with one stroke of the spear, and I will not strike him twice. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >9</FONT>David said to Abishai, Do not destroy him; for who can raise his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless? <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >10</FONT>David said, As the Lord lives, [He] will smite him; or his day will come to die or he will go down in battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should raise my hand against the Lord's anointed; but take now the spear that is at his head and the bottle of water, and let us go.</div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Very few people live their life without experiencing a harsh leader and a gentle leader. God uses them both; he uses the positive ones to nurture us and the negative ones to refine us. They both serve a purpose in God's plan.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Because the Lord put Saul over David, David is saying Lord, if your leaders are doing wrong, they are under you not under me. When we judge a leader, we are saying God we don't trust what you are doing, so we are going to take it in our hands.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Why did God put the army in a deep sleep? It was a test, a David test, to see if he was going to be another Saul. It was a test to see if he would take matters into his own hands or if he was going to remain a man after the heart of God. David constantly waited on God and inquired of the Lord. Saul took matters in his own hands. That was the only difference. Saul would try to protect what God gave him. David's attitude was God is my reward not that throne.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">There are two kinds of leaders: Those that love their kingdom (ministry) and those that love God.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">David realized that the 14 years that he was running from Saul and the 14 years of persecution, that the Lord had him in reigning training to be the shepherd of Israel. The path to the fulfillment of your vision and destiny in the Lord will lead you through deserts, dark tunnels, refiner's fire, pruning, sorrow, tribulation, test and persecution. Will you follow Christ? You need this journey to have the character to handle the fulfillment of the vision and destiny.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">David took the abuse of Saul and instead of being offended, he used it as a stepping stone to what God was developing in Him. What the enemy intended for David's demise, God used to catapult him into His glory.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The tribulation was a platform for promotion.</B></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700fa00000000.gif" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">David kept his heart submitted to God and did not park at offense.</B></div> <div> <A HREF="#the_trap" TITLE="July 29, August 5, 12 19, 2007"><U><B>Back to Top</B></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="part_4"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Part 4</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Romans 12:17-18</B></FONT><B> </B> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >17</FONT>Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >18</FONT>If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.</div> <bR> <div> <B>ROMANS 12:19</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>BE ADVISED:  It is an unrighteous thing for God's people to avenge themselves and it is a righteous thing for God to avenge His people.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>ROMANS 12:20</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>LUKE</B><B> 6: 27-28</B></FONT> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >27</FONT>But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred, <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >28</FONT>Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God's blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].Jesus said specifically to pray for your enemies and those that despitefully use you or abuse you.  Do good to them.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>PROVERBS 25:21,22</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >  </FONT>21<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; </FONT>22<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord will reward you.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Do them good and you will speed up the judgment process of God working in their life.  You will slow down the judgment process of God by taking on vengeance yourself.  Judgment does not always mean hell, fire and brimstone.  Judgment in the New Testament simply means decision.  God's decision may be deliverance.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>ROMANS 12:21</B></FONT> Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.</div> <bR> <div> <B>ROMANS 13:1</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Franklin Gothic Demi" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >LET EVERY person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God's appointment.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>1 SAMUEL CHAPTERS 2 - 5</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>1 Samuel 3:1</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  NOW THE boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. The word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days; there was no frequent or widely spread vision.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Samuel ministered to the Lord.  “Before” means completely submitted to Eli.  Samuel was submitted to the leadership and did not take offense at their corruption.  He knew it was not his place to judge God's leader.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Church family is like your personal family; there will be plenty of opportunities to be offended.  Please understand, if your leader at church, home, work or civil tells you to sin, you are not to obey the leader.  Otherwise, even if you don't agree with a leader's decision, you are to do it unto the Lord.  Even if you don't respect the person; you are to respect and honor their position or office and the authority they represent. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Levels of ministry are based on levels of relationship.  So we must be involved with people and make ourselves vulnerable to offenses in order to be at a place to grow and minister to others.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>ISAIAH 55:12</B></FONT><U> </U>For you shall go out [from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil into the homeland] with joy and be led forth [by your Leader, the Lord Himself, and His word] with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1 CORINTHIANS 12:18</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>PSALM 92:13</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Some of you are in adversity and stormy weather in your life and you are working on escape plans.  God is not rescuing you immediately; He wants you stay planted and develop a deeper root system in Him by learning to lean on, trust in and depend on Him in greater measure.  The Lord wants to prepare you now for greater harvest later and you are so focused on escaping you are missing what He wants to do. </B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>PSALM 1:1-2</B></FONT> BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >2</FONT>But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.</div> <bR> <div> <B>PSALM 119:165</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>PSALM 1:3</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">What are doing with adversity?  Do you have an escape mindset or are you getting deeper in Jesus?  When you escape out of an offense, your root system dwarfs.</B><B> </B><B>If you don't deal with the offense, it will be easier to leave a job, church, marriage and eventually you become a vagabond.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>MARK 4:16, 17</B></FONT> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >16</FONT>And in the same way the ones sown upon stony ground are those who, when they hear the Word, at once receive and accept and welcome it with joy;<U> </U><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >17</FONT>And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>GENESIS 4:4-7</B></FONT>, 11-12 AND 14  <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >4</FONT>And Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat portions. And the Lord had respect and regard for Abel and for his offering, <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >5</FONT>But for Cain and his offering He had no respect or regard. So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and he looked sad and depressed. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >6</FONT>And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected? <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >7</FONT>If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it. </div> <div> 11<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >And now you are cursed by reason of the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's [shed] blood from your hand. </FONT>12<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth [in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast].</FONT></div> <div> 14<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the land, and from Your face I will be hidden; and I will be a fugitive and a vagabond and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.gif" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Cain has developed a persecution complex.  That is exactly what happens to people when they get offended.  They become spiritual wonderers because they think everyone is out to get them.  They isolate themselves.  They run from church to church and then avoid church so they won't get hurt.</B></div> <div> <A HREF="#the_trap" TITLE="July 29, August 5, 12 19, 2007"><U><B>Back to Top</B></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Copyright 2008,  New Beginnings Fellowship, All rights reserved.</div> <div> For site problems contact <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000CC" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:tschuessler@nbfirving.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:tschuessler@nbfirving.net"><U>web-master</U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=37 BGCOLOR="#666699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04500250erlcjm.gif"> <div> <A HREF="thetrap02.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="September 2, 9, 16, 23 30 2007"><U><IMG SRC="0400e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="previous" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A>   <A HREF="truesacrifices.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="July 1, 8, 15 22, 2007"><U><IMG SRC="0410e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="next" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A>        <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14">    <A HREF="pastor.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pastoral Ministry"><U><IMG SRC="0430e0e0.gif" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="up" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>