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Proverbs 10:18
"And he who spreads slander is a fool."
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Mark 7
"...out of the heart of men,
proceed the evil thoughts,
fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
deeds of coveting and wickedness,
as well as deceit, sensuality, envy,
slander, pride and foolishness.
All these evil things proceed from within
and defile the man."
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Ms. Pegues begins Day 9 of her book with these words,
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"Slanderers make malicious, false,
or even true statements about others
with the intent of damaging
their reputation,
character,
or good name."
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It's sobering to say that I have heard much slander throughout my lifetime either by those who have been hurt by another and are trying to "get back at them" or some person/group trying to make themselves look better than another person/group. The sad part is that this takes place among christians who use TRUE STATEMENTS to damage the reputation, character, or good name of others.
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This weekend was so refreshing to me! 18,000 women together in the Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were there because they believe in Jesus. Oh, we all may be at different places on the journey of faith. We all may not agree on a myriad of things about the Bible and eternal life. Yet, one commonality was there - JESUS is the Son of God! Jesus is God! That's why it's called WOMEN OF FAITH.
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Philippians 2:8-11 says something that I believe every woman in that room believed. This and this alone is powerful:
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"And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore also God highly exalted Him,
and bestowed on Him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
of those who are in heaven,
and on earth, and under the earth,
and that every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. "
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I will pray for those who understand the gospel in part. I refuse to slander or argue with those who do not agree with my understanding of salvation. We will agree to disagree and I will pray!
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Yes, I do believe yesterday was powerful, but I believe it would have been much more powerful if this model of the gospel story would have been used:
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Acts 2:37-39
"Now when they heard this,
"Now when they heard this,
they were pierced to the heart,
and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,
"Brethren, what shall we do?"
And Peter said to them,
"Repent, and let each of you be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
"For the promise is for you and your children,
and for all who are far off,
as many as the Lord our God
shall call to Himself."
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Slander? No! A good report? Yes! Will I return to Women of Faith? The LORD willing! In the meantime, the group of 50 of us who went together yesterday plan to keep walking with the LORD on this journey of life... encouraging each other... pursuing peace and love...
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