MEDITATION MONDAY.
Missionaries to France, Craig and Katie Young, were with us yesterday. Craig spoke in the auditorium during Bible class hour and "worship" hour. Before Craig got up the second time, Garth (their brother-in-love and former French missionary) led us in the song written by Carol Owens in 1972 ...
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God forgave my sin in Jesus' name
I've been born again in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to
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He said: 'Freely, freely, you have received;
Freely, freely give
Go in My name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live.'
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All power is given in Jesus' name
In earth and heaven in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to
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He said 'Freely, freely you have received;
freely, freely give.
Go in My name, and because you believe
Others will know that I live.
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God gives us life in Jesus' name
He lives in us in Jesus' name
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His peace as He told me to.
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As we are discussing right now on this blog, "The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us..."
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Craig shared the story of this year's World Cup competition. Had we heard what went on with France's team? I had not! I'm sure there is a lot to read online about it, but briefly, this is what I understood Craig to say about France and the 2010 World Cup:
- France's star player was benched by the coach
- France's star player responded negatively
- The French coach kicked France's star player off the team
- The French team went on strike
- Eventually, when the team played, they got beat
- The French Prime Minister said, "The problem with our soccer team was not their legs but their hearts."
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Craig's lesson was powerful. As he brought us to the heart of the matter, he said, "healing hearts requires the presence of the WORD OF GOD..."
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Wow! Does that connect with our current theme or what? Last month's memory work in Hebrews 4 told us, "For the word of God is living and active...it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
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We read the word of God and make a choice. Craig asked, "How are we going to shake the opponent?" It certainly starts with whether or not we have chosen Jesus.
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I smiled as I listened. This summer, on Sunday mornings, I'm leading the elementary kids Bible time in studying THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD. We've talked a lot about the opponent. They've learned that we must "take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
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As we considered how the French team handled their opponent, Craig moved on to another sport - wrestling. He gave some background about wrestling. Then asked, "With hundreds of people screaming in the stands how does the wrestler hear the coach?" It's because they have a relationship... this has been part of the training... their is a confidence that comes from trusting the coach...
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- It's about a RELATIONSHIP! The coach knows his players! He loves his players! He wants what is best for his players! Do the players feel the same?
- It's about TRAINING! Hours and hours of reading "the play book" and going through the drills. Practice! Practice! More than you planned!
- It's about CONFIDENCE! The players have experienced the coach's faithfulness over and over again. He is worthy of their trust! He knows his sport! He loves his sport! He can take these players who he knows and loves further than they have every thought possible.
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Although, I have not taken us all the way through Craig's sermon today... there is certainly enough for us to meditate on...
- How's my relationship with Jesus - THE WORD?
- How's my training in hiding God's word in my heart?
- How's my trust in the ONE who can give me confidence?
You can access Craig's entire sermon at www.cochrist.org
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