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Living The Solution – Online Newsletter |
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March 20, 2008 ISSUE |
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Opening Thoughts:
Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday – these
three days are very important to Christians. Jesus gave
us himself so that we could have eternal life. Read the
four Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) of
these days. The Passion of Christ is heart rendering, but
the resurrection brings us great joy.
Jesus is the Way. It’s not a glib statement. If you dare to follow
him your life will radically change. The Paschal mystery is the way of
transformation. All it takes is willingness to believe to make a start.
Peace and joy,
Tom Gilbert
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IN THIS ISSUE
Feature Article: A Clear Purpose
In The Spotlight: Grow Your Faith
Daily Thoughts: Three Pieces of Armor
Prayer & Sharing Requests
Quotable: Better to Have Loved |
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| FEATURED
ARTICLE |
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A
Clear Purpose
Article by Tom Gilbert — © March, 2008
When I read the Gospels I am often
struck by how convinced Jesus was of his purpose and
his mission. He spoke about it with an authority that
impressed many people. I don’t think he came across
as smug, arrogant or egotistical. Rather, he had an inner
authority. He was sure about his job to both reveal what
God is all about and that he was sent by God, his Father,
to redeem our broken relationship.
The way Jesus lived is the perfect model for us. We are humans filled with strong
wills and it is difficult for just about anyone to accept that they cannot live
life successfully on their own power. We have to receive the power, the grace,
of a loving God to deal with life and especially other people. This has been
my experience. And even learning this lesson I still find that I often try to
control life, to get things to go the way I want. What is this but playing God?
Now Jesus, we Christians believe, is God in human form. Yet, as Paul wrote in Philippians
2:5-7, he didn’t consider this something to be grasped. Rather
he emptied himself and took on the nature of a servant in human form. He didn’t
go around “playing God” although he did many things that revealed
God’s power. Jesus came not only to redeem, but to serve.
He Was Interesting
Over the course of his public ministry many people became
interested in Jesus. Some followed him because of the miracles he performed.
Others, mostly the religious authorities, wanted to see if they could trip him
up. And some felt called to follow him because they perceived that he was sent
by God. They may not have been sure if he was the Messiah, but they believed
he was a prophet of God, a good and holy man.
The amazing thing about Jesus and his inner authority is how he was both self
assured yet humble.
Read the entire article here
More articles here.
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| IN THE SPOTLIGHT |
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Grow
Your Faith
Your faith needs to deepen and grow. This growth
stretches you and opens you more and more to the great mystery
of God. That’s a good thing.
We’ve got some featured resources in our online store
that will help you on this journey. Noted authors like Eugene
Peterson, Max Lucado, Rick Warren and others, along with Bible
resources, music and more.
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Specials page for other special resources and causes.
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has resources to help you grow spiritually. It’s
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you support our ministry – thank you!
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DAILY THOUGHTS & REFLECTIONS |
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Three Pieces of Armor
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth
buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel
of peace. (Ephesians 6:14-15 — New International Version)
These three pieces of armor
are your protection and are referred to in the past tense,
indicating that they are something you already have—buckled,
in place and fitted. This armor was given to you when
you decided to become a follower of Jesus and, as you
can see in today’s reading, you are commanded to
stand firm and use them.
Jesus said, “I am the truth and the truth will set you free.” This
is the belt of truth. Truth is our greatest defensive and offensive weapon. It
is the thing that set us free and the one thing the enemy cannot stand against.
As long as we hold tight to the truth of God, about us and others, about our
enemy and how to deal with him, we will be victorious in our lives. But if at
some point we believe a lie of the enemy he can then control and manipulate us.
The truth that we wear around our waist is the truth of God’s word. When
something comes to mind that does not line up with God’s word you should
dismiss it. If an opportunity comes up to say or do something that contradicts
God’s ways, don’t do it. The simple rule of truth will serve you
well.
Jesus prayed in John 17:15, “I do not ask you to take them out of the world
but to keep them from the evil one.” He prayed that God cover us in truth —
the truth of God’s word. This is the truth we are to wear around our waist.
We must know it well and we must use it. That is why it is so important to read
and study the Bible each day and to think about what you read and be able to
recount it when needed in the battle. Without it you are defenseless and venerable.
Know the Word of God for it is your power and protection.
Live intentionally, purposely, free and with passion,
Pete Reinbold
Get daily inspiration with a Scripture verse and commentary
at
Daily Thought
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PRAYER REQUESTS & RESULTS |
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Prayer works. It really does.Submit your prayer
requests and we will pray for them.
Of course, we keep your information confidential.
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My thoughts are shared regularly on the pages of
our web site, especially on
the Journal pages.
We welcome and appreciate your feedback. If you would
like to submit an article please see our writer's
guidelines.
It is our hope that the content of Living The Solution will
stimulate you to deepen your faith. That is certainly a result for us in both
our writing and reading. If you would like to see articles on a particular topic
or you have comments please let us know.
Send an email
Quotable: Better to Have Loved
“'Tis better to have loved and lost than
never to have loved at all.”
— Alfred Lord Tennyson
Copyright 2008 Living the Solution, all rights reserved.
Tom Gilbert
Editor/Web-servant
Living The Solution
www.livingthesolution.com
P O Box 25584
Albuquerque, NM 87125-5584
Toll free 1-800-399-2564 (US only) or 505-247-3232
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