tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20625057483148741142024-02-08T03:31:05.063-08:00Being a Disciple of ChristAshish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-43809772781886098832024-01-18T02:15:00.000-08:002024-01-18T02:55:32.388-08:00 Restless Sabbath<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> <i><span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>ne day</i>, out of the blue, the question hit me: "Should a Christian observe the Sabbath?" I realize this might be a settled matter for many, but for me, it has resurfaced.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now that it has captured my attention, I feel compelled to address it for the benefit of my family and loved ones.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The term "Sabbath" first appears in <i>Genesis 2:2:</i></span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"By the seventh day, God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day, he rested from all his work."</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The original Hebrew verb for 'and he rested' is 'Va-Yishbot' {וישבות}, derived from the Hebrew root 'SH-V-T' {ש-ב-ת}, which is also the root of the word Shabbat {שבת}.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This verse creates the notion that God is weary. Why, then, does God need to rest? Let's delve into the meaning behind this.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In contemporary perspectives, the act of "creation" is often seen as the epitome of power, and Genesis 1 is commonly labeled as a creation story. While this holds true to some degree, the author's underlying purpose differs. In Ancient Eastern cultures, the figure who transforms "chaos" into "order" is portrayed as the most potent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Genesis author subtly hints at this right at the outset:</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep."</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The lack of any form, coupled with darkness and void, signifies chaos. For an ancient reader, these images would have triggered connections, priming their mind for imminent action by the One who would bring order to them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">To broaden our perspective, let's examine some contemporaneous cultures. "Enuma Elish", an ancient Mesopotamian creation epic, recounts Marduk's triumph over the elder goddess Tiamat, <b>ushering in order from chaos and</b> <b>ascending as the lord of the gods of Heaven and Earth</b>. This resonates with the theme of order prevailing over chaos in Genesis.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Similarly, the Egyptian god Atum <b>shapes the world out of chaos</b>, symbolized by primeval waters.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This collective evidence leads to the inference that Genesis 1, transcends a mere creation account; it is about imposing order upon chaos.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A great king is also recognized as one who establishes order. When a king assimilates an external territory into his kingdom, he essentially eradicates chaos (represented by barbarians) and establishes the right structure and order (civilized).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The crux of the matter is that, in Genesis' inaugural chapter, the author conveys to readers that <b>Yahweh is the Chief</b>. He does it by showing that Yahweh is the One who brings order to the entire universe. Like a king, He confronts chaos with His words and emerges victorious.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">The term "He rested" signifies His triumph. </span>He has orchestrated order and is now assuming His throne. He is the provider, and now His subjects (Adam or mankind) will commence from this state of rest (order), ushering further prosperity and peace into His creation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The idea of rest presented in Genesis differs from the rest ordained by Moses for the Israelites, known as Shabbath. Unlike the Israelites, who are not initiating a throne, this commandment serves as a reminder of God's providence—the One who imposes order on chaos. It's a day for reflecting on the transient nature of our struggles, remembering how God brought them from slavery and will ultimately grant them eternal rest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now, delving into this context, let's explore the fundamental query: <span style="font-size: large;">Should a Christian adhere to Shabbat observance?</span> The response hinges on whether the laws bestowed by Moses upon the Israelites hold relevance in our contemporary era.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A beacon of insight comes from Paul, who, in his ministry, drew upon a Mosaic law for guidance:</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">"In the Law of Moses, it is written: 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.' Is this directive solely about oxen, or does it extend to us? Undoubtedly, it is intended for us, as written, for those who plow and thresh should anticipate a share in the harvest." (1 Corinthians 9:9-10)</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In this context, Paul, as a steward of God's word, contends that those sowing spiritual seeds in the congregation have a rightful claim to material blessings. Citing Deuteronomy 25:4, he anchors his argument in scriptural authority, reasoning that just as God allows an ox to eat while treading, ministers of His word should partake in similar blessings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">What insights can we glean from this example? Although the law was specifically given to Israel, it carries an underlying purpose. While the literal application may not extend to us, the essence or the spirit of the law undeniably holds relevance for all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Applying this to our current discourse, <span style="font-size: medium;">the authentic purpose of Shabbat is to find repose in God's providence.</span> It's a day for reflection, meditation, and anticipation that God will bring order to the disorder of our sins, mirroring His act of bringing order from chaos in the creation narrative. For those of the Jewish faith, Shabbat is a time to recall how God liberated them from slavery in Egypt—a testament to His transformative power from chaos to order. It serves as a day to acknowledge God's constant presence and affirm our understanding that He holds sovereign control.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">How should a Christian celebrate the Sabbath?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">To address this inquiry, what better guide than examining the actions of Jesus? Numerous occasions reveal Jesus performing healing miracles on the Sabbath (examples include Mark 3:1-6, and Luke 13:10-17), tending to the needs of the hungry (Matthew 12:1-8), and imparting wisdom within the synagogues.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus proclaimed, "The kingdom of God is here and now." He was bringing God's rest (providence) to people, bringing joy and peace ( order ) into the tumultuous realms of misery and suffering.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">As we ponder the essence of the Sabbath in our lives, let's not confine its celebration to a mere day of the week. <span style="font-size: large;">Every moment is an opportunity to embrace God's providence and, like our Lord Jesus, become agents of joy and peace in a world often mired in chaos.</span> The true celebration of the Sabbath lies not in mere observance but in our daily actions—feeding the hungry, healing the broken, and bringing light to the darkest corners. In this continuous Sabbath, we embody the timeless victory of order over chaos, echoing the Creator's triumph in the very fabric of our existence. So, as we traverse the tapestry of our days, let each step resonate with the eternal Sabbath, a melody of divine rest, and a harmonious rhythm of bringing God's beautiful order into our chaotic world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">How might one find a more meaningful way to observe the Sabbath?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-68994649612625032492022-04-10T11:29:00.000-07:002022-04-10T11:34:58.217-07:00Prologue to Book of John<p><br /></p><p>Recently I got something interesting and beautiful to learn from John's prologue to his book. Quite excited to share this with you. Without further ado, let's dive right into it.</p><p>To rightly understand the intention of John, we need some background.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Ancient Near Eastern literature is very figurative. They commonly use the personification of inanimate objects, like the lady wisdom in Proverbs 8. In Genesis 1, when God speaks and brings the world into existence, in the Jewish mind, <b>'Word' is something that is both God and yet distinct from God</b>. The same applies to the 'Glory' of God. In the tabernacle, the 'Glory' of God dwells (Exodus 40:34-38). <b>'Glory' of God is both God and yet distinct from God.</b> <span><a name='more'></a></span><span></span><span><!--more--></span></li><li>Scholars consider Genesis 1-2:3, as a prologue to the book of Genesis. It's written in a very interesting way. In this section, the author uses the word 'Elohim' which is translated as God in our English bibles. Elohim simply means 'spiritual being'. Any non-physical being is called Elohim. (e.g. in 1 Samuel 28:13, Samuel's spirit is called Elohim). <b>In Genesis 1, the author is creating curiosity.</b> He says in the beginning a spiritual being (Elohim) created this and that. <b>As a listener, you'll be wondering who is this spiritual being?</b> and then in Genesis 2:4 author introduces him as YHWH (translated LORD in English bibles). Interesting isn't it? But sadly that beauty is lost in the translation. Much like in our movies, where they don't show the face of the character initially to create curiosity in the audience. </li></ol><p></p><p>With this information, Let me paraphrase John's prologue, and hope you too will see the beauty in John's writing.</p><p>John's prologue (John 1:1-18)</p><p><i>(In verses 1 - 13 John uses the book of Genesis as his framework. In the same style as the book of Genesis, John doesn't tell who is he talking about, he uses a pronoun for Jesus to create curiosity)</i></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">You already know guys that in the beginning, God created the world. And the world was created by His Word. The Word is both distinct from God and is also God. In the same way, this Man, about whom I'm going to tell, was also with God in the beginning. Everything that was created, was created through Him. Apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being. In this Man was life. And this life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and darkness could not comprehend it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came to testify about this Man so that all might believe through his testimony. John was not the Light but he was only sent to testify about it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The true Light was about to come that will enlighten everyone. This man was now in the world, the world came into being through Him but the world did not know Him. He came to His own chosen people of Israel but they did not receive Him. But those who did receive Him (even gentiles), He gave them the right to become children of God. It was God's will to adopt them into His family because they believed in His name.</span></p><p><i>In the above passage, John beautifully puts his argument to Jews, "you know God's word can be distinct from God in the creation and yet it is God. This person I'm talking about is also distinct from God yet He is God. It's nothing new, you already know this is possible, why are you being offended at the deity of this person?"</i></p><p><i>Then John takes another example. This time from Exodus, alluding to the glory of God.</i></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">We know that God's Glory dwelt among us in the tabernacle (tent). His Glory is both God and distinct from God. Like the Word which created the earth, now the Word became flesh (man) and He pitched His tent among us. We saw this Man's Glory. The Glory, which can be only from someone who came from the Father, is full of grace and truth. John testified about Him. He said the one who is about to come is much greater than me because He existed before me. From this Man's fullness, we have received grace upon grace. The Law was given by Moses, but the grace and truth were realised through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God, this man "Jesus Christ" who was with God from the beginning, has explained Him (i.e. interpreted the Law rightly)</span></p><p><i>Now, at the end of his prologue, after bringing much curiosity about this man, John introduces and tells that this man is no one else but Jesus, the messiah.</i></p><p>A beautiful argument about Jesus's deity using Genesis and Exodus. </p><p>Did you notice that John uses such wonderful and apt adjectives for Jesus? Like the Light. Light is supposed to remove darkness and enlighten men, likewise, Jesus brings forth the true understanding of the Law. </p><p>I'm truly in awe of John's writing and hope you too will appreciate it now. What do you guys think about this paraphrase? Let me know in the comments.</p><p>Shalom!</p>Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-62644104645407971872021-06-23T09:58:00.003-07:002021-06-23T10:02:08.341-07:00Ex nihilo<p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Many Christian, especially the young earth creationists, confess to the doctrine, creation ex nihilo; that is, God created the cosmos out of nothing.</span></p><div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">I am not disputing whether or not God is the creator of everything. I want to tell, that the Bible (especially the book of Genesis) does not teach ex nihilo.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Before we start, we should make sure we understand the meaning of </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">inspiration </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">of the scriptures.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">The Bible is </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">inspired </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">writing. The Holy Spirit inspired the human authors, to produce the Scriptures, so as they completely understood what they wrote, and the text made complete sense to them in their context. In other words, the Holy Spirit did NOT zap their conscience, nor did they get into a trance only to wake up and realise, Oh! I wrote something!</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">If we agree to this meaning of </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">inspiration</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">, then let us begin.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Genesis 1:1-2:</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Genesis 1 clearly states: In the beginning ... the Spirit of God was hovering over the </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">waters</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">. Water is </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">surely </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">a thing, and according to the author of Genesis, when creation started, water </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">already existed.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Now, think of this for a minute; the concept, 'nothing' is highly evolved. Even now, we cannot completely comprehend it.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">The ancients have no idea even about the number 0. If a shepherd lost all his sheep, he would not say, "I have </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">zero </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">sheep!". He'll rather say, "I don't even have one sheep". The ancient author of Genesis, in no way, would have thought about ex nihilo while being in his senses at the same time.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">The purpose of Genesis is not to show how God created something out of nothing but to show that YAHWEH (</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">and not some other god</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">) brought order to an unordered cosmos.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">People of the Ancient Near East already had a cosmology. Like the way, we have one (I'd encourage you to read Babylonian and Egyptian cosmology, see bottom of the page for a brief overview). Their cosmology assumes that the sun, the moon, the oceans etc. are gods. These gods then create other gods and bring order to the cosmos through battle or sexual unions. The author of Genesis brilliantly uses the same cosmology to teach his readers that YAHWEH is the creator. The sun, the moon and everything else are not gods. They are only a creation of YAHWEH. The author doesn't even use the commonly spoken names for the </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">sun and the moon (since they were the names of various deity) he simply refers to them as the two great lights.</span></p></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 2"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">YAHWEH alone is the creator; everything else is His creation. He doesn't have to battle or mate. His words alone can bring order and life into the cosmos. (This itself is a revolutionary claim for that period of history)</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">The author of Genesis is correcting their theology using the pre-existing cosmology.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">When we use Genesis to argue against modern cosmology, we are only making fun of ourselves. The author of Genesis had no such intention (He is writing from his cosmological understanding for a very different purpose than what we are using it for).</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">By the way, I am not promoting evolution or anything related to it. All I want to say is that this book is not for that debate.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">The book of Genesis (especially the creation story) is a masterpiece. Unfortunately, we are blowing it all away for nothing (pun intended). Let us understand the book of Genesis in the correct context. For what its author meant to teach. That YAHWEH is the ultimate creator and the only sustainer. He brings order and life to the cosmos. He is El-Shaddai; he has no equals.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">God Bless!</span></p><p><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt;">Pic: Ancient cosmology:</span></p><p><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt;">https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/ngier/gre13.htm</span> </p><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-63104686159279550612021-03-23T07:18:00.003-07:002021-03-23T07:18:53.969-07:00Fish swallowed Jonah? Surely NOT!!<p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Before you tag me as a heretic, let me state it for the record, I do not doubt even for a split second, on God's ability. Of course, all things are possible with God.</span></p><div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">However, the issue here is not about God's ability but it's about the author's intention. What if the author did not write this book as a historical narrative but rather as a satire? So many people today think that the Bible is nothing more than a fairy tale and one of the main reason for that is us. Because we Christians have misunderstood the text and are stubborn to even consider that we could be wrong.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Reminds me of Paul when he said, “they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge"</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Anyways, in this article, I want to suggest that the Book of Jonah is a satire, and I'll present some of the many clues from the text that suggests that this is satire and not history.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">[Satire - the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.]</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">The biggest challenge today to find the genre of the book is that we can't (at least most of us can't) read in Hebrew, otherwise I wouldn't have to write this article.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">The simplest clue in the book is the recurring use of exaggerations and irony, which is very typical of satire. The author through this story wants to bring out the irony that the so-called people of the family of God are least bothered about His will, whereas those who are called gentiles (not belonging to the family of God) are pro-God.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Ok, let's start.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">The first line of the book says </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai"</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">. Amittai in Hebrew would mean </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"My truth", </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">or </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"Faithfulness"</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">. To say in other words, </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"Jonah son of faithfulness" </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">and guess what! the story will show how opposite of that he is. A witty start.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Now note, the author uses, as his main characters </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"Jonah - a prophet (representing the nation of Israel), who is supposed to be a spokesperson of God, the best among God's<br />people" </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">and </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"Nineveh - the evilest nation in the ancient world, no one can be farther from God than a Ninevite" </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">and then flips what's expected of them. What a cool paradox.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Let's continue; next, the author puts a beautiful contrast, the evil of Nineveh has come </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"up" </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">to the face of the Lord, but Jonah went </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"down" </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">to Tarshish and then </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"down" </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">to Joppa,<br />then </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"down" </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">into the Ship. And the downfall of Jonah wouldn't stop until he reaches the down most part, that is the </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"realm of the dead".</span></p></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 2"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">A pause here for general trivia. The people of the ancient world had a three-tire understanding of the universe.<br /></span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Heaven </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">- dwelling of gods,<br /></span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Land </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">- dwelling of the men living,</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Netherworld </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">- dwelling of the dead.<br />This may sound absurd to us but for them, this was real and a top-notch scientific understanding. It is very important to time travel, and understand the text from their perspective.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Fine, back to the story, so, our dear Jonah is on a trip to go down and down.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Now the next verse is hilarious. The literal translation will be something like, </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"now God sent a big (Hebrew "gadol gadol" an exaggeration) storm and the ship was contemplating to break itself into pieces.</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">" As if the ship had a mind of itself. But Jonah went </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"down" </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">and was in deep sleep.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">It is so funny yet so deep in meaning. A literal beauty! showing the utter hopelessness of people of God. They have fallen so low and become so insensitive to God that even a huge storm cannot wake them up although an inanimate object is thinking to break into pieces.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">The latter part of the story only shows Jonah's further downward journey. There is much we can talk about but maybe not in this article.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">The three days and three-nights journey is yet another interesting thing.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">One more general trivia, how much time do the ancient people believed it take to travel from the dwelling of the living to the dwelling of the dead? You guessed it! 3 days and 3 nights.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Ok, back to the text, now comes the beautiful prayer of Jonah and God giving him a second chance.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">And this time Jonah goes to Nineveh and says </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"40 days and Nineveh will be overthrown (Hebrew - haphak)"</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">. Jonah uses the word "Haphak" which is a very interesting word, it could mean "to overthrow" or it could mean "to transform" (like you haphak my sorrow into joy). Our Jonah is still not completely obedient, is he? He didn't mention repentance and used a confusing word to proclaim God's message. The author wants the reader to see how stubborn we can be, and this is right after that beautiful prayer in chapter 2..!!</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Let's move on, Nineveh was gadol gadol (huge) and it takes 3 days to travel across the city. We know now from the archaeological surveys that no city in the ancient world was so big to take three days to travel across. And of course, more than us the author knew it better. And he uses this pure exaggeration device to enhance the beauty of his plot.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Now the paradox that we spoke about earlier, Jonah was running away err... down, from obeying God but look at Nineveh, they obeyed and repented promptly even when the message was quite cryptic. And not just the king and the people but even the cattle repented. Isn't that hilarious.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Come on now, the author very well knew that animals don't repent, what else can be a more persuasive argument that this is a satire!</span></p></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Finally, the story ends with a beautiful message, Jonah was sad that God was merciful to gentiles but the author wanted the reader to know that God is a God of all creation and not just a selected few. He cares for everyone whom He created.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">No wonder Jesus said </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">"no sign will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah"</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">, was this reference to Jonah just about the 3 days and the 3 nights in the dwelling of the dead? Or was it a clever hint that God is now inviting gentiles too into his kingdom? The kingdom of Messiah!</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">This article is in no way comprehensive but I hope that after reading it, you no longer have to break your head studying the possibility of a man surviving in the belly of fish or fighting against the archaeological findings that there were big cities in the ancient world.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">You see none of it was the author's intention. Amid our wrong understanding and the attempt to prove it right, we have lost the humorous yet beautiful message of the story.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">God bless!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">Edit:</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">This is not to suggest that Jonah was not a real person, Jonah was indeed a real person as documented in 2 Kings 14:25-27 (which is a historical document). When it comes to the book of Jonah; as it goes with most satires, the author uses real people, real places and real issues to create a literary work that can be potentially fiction.</span></p></div></div></div>Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-27937749904163149052020-10-15T09:05:00.001-07:002020-10-15T09:05:05.688-07:00The Church & the Eternal Plan of God<p> <span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The Bible tells us that the Church is the eternal plan of God and that through the church God's manifold wisdom is displayed to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 3:10-11). But how exactly?</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Christians often think of the church as some entity that God had in mind to bring into existence in 1 Century AD. But I believe that may not be entirely true, rather it was God's day 1 plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">In fact the word Church (greek - Ekklesia) use to refer to Christians in the New Testament, is the same word that was used to refer to an Israelite assembly in the Old Testament.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Let us dig a little deeper to see what I'm talking about.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 16pt;">Creation<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The author of the book of Genesis explains the purpose of creation and how humans play a vital role in God's purpose behind creation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">God created the world in six days and on the sixth day, He created the first humans. God assigned humans to rule over everything that He created. God made the humans in His own image so that they can take care of His world appropriately i.e. man has to rule with love, kindness, justice, self-sacrifice and other virtues that are characteristics of God Himself. (Genesis 1:26-27)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">God then created a beautiful Garden, <em>Eden</em>. Eden was special because it was a place where God dwells. (Not to say that God isn't present in every other place but this place was something different because it's a place where <em>'God loves to dwell'</em>). Now, the first humans were supposed to multiply and fill this earth with people who are all in God’s image. (Genesis 1:28). To put it in other words, it was a mission of humans to make the whole earth a dwelling place for God, a place where God loves to dwell. The whole world should be made into an Eden.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">But alas! Humans doubted God's intention and everything fell apart. Not only the first humans failed but the ones who came after them made it even worse. A glance at the current affairs will show us how horrible a place we have eventually made this earth. Far from the Eden that God wanted us to make.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 16pt;">Israel<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Just because humans didn't do what they were supposed to do, doesn't mean God will give up. In fact, He already had a solution in place. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">He called Abraham and his children to be His partner, the nation of Israel. Israel was now the new Eden, and God dwelt in their camps. (tabernacle (exodus 40:34-38) and then the temple (1 Kings 8)). They were to rule the way Adam and Eve were supposed to rule. But what's obvious from history is that Israel too failed. And not just failed but ended up into exile as a punishment for their great transgressions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 16pt;">The Messiah<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">God's desire to make the whole earth, an Eden, looks far from a reality. Moreover, Israel seems to be the last nation that can restore things. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Has God failed?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">No, may it never be! Yes, the whole world <em>will</em> be Eden and yes, it <em>will</em> be through Israel. None of God's plan will be thwarted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Jesus lived his entire life in submission to God. He was obedient to God even unto his death. God's characteristics were manifested in every facet of Jesus' life. He was a king; yet He ruled like a servant, being humble, loving, kind, just and self-sacrificial. He is the true human, the exact way man was supposed to be when God created them. He taught this same lifestyle to his followers. And His message was preached to the ends of the earth. There are followers of Jesus from every tribe and every nation and they are together called the Church, and God dwells in the Church (2 Corinthians 6:16).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">So, God’s desire to make the whole earth Eden, a dwelling place for God was finally accomplished by Jesus, the true Human; and He was a Jew too, the true Israelite. And I'm convinced that this is what Paul means when He says Church was the eternal plan of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The church displays God's characteristics when they live according to Jesus’ instructions, they have filled the earth and God dwells in them. And thus they display God's manifold wisdom. Whereby God fulfils his plans even when everything seems to be going against it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p align="center" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><u><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: 16pt;">The second coming<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">Christ has fulfilled God's desire, however, the evil still exists in the earth and earth is not exactly how Eden was. That is what God will accomplish when Jesus returns. He'll judge the World. He'll eliminate the evil and new heavens and new earth will be created. The church will get a glorified body and all things will be made new. And this is the hope in which, we the followers of Christ, live. Looking forward to the day when this too will be fulfilled, like the way everything else He has accomplished. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0e101a;">The whole earth as Eden, where God loves to dwell! <o:p></o:p></span></p>Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-65959398155915362112020-07-30T11:53:00.000-07:002020-07-30T11:53:05.718-07:00Baptism – What good is it for?<div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize and to teach the new believers. This should remove every doubt about the question, “Is baptism necessary”? Every command of our Lord, is our duty. Even if we do not understand anything about Baptism, we must still do it, because our Lord commanded it. His command ought to be a sufficient reason for us, to obey.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">But then one might wonder, what is the significance of this ritual? What happens when someone takes Baptism? Is baptism required for forgiveness of sins? If faith saves you, then why Baptism? Should children be Baptised or only adults? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">These are few of the many questions that we struggle with. Answer to these questions may not be necessary, after all obedience is what counts, but it definitely is important. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">It is important because, it makes you stronger in your faith; it answers why you believe what you believe.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">Before we start our investigation, something crucial to note:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">Every time the word “baptism” is used in bible, we shouldn't always associate it with the rite of water baptism. The word baptism, in Greek, simply means – to immerse, to dip or to dye. Thus, whether or not the author used the word baptism as a rite, should be undersood from the context.</span></i><br /><i><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">Example: in Septuagint Old Testament, 2 Kings 5:14, Joshua 3:15, Leviticus 11:32 and in New Testament Luke 11:38, Mark 7:4 etc, the word baptism is used and in these passages it clearly does not mean, the rite of water baptism. Romans 6:3-5; is another passage where we cannot be completely sure, whether Paul is using the word baptism as a rite or otherwise.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">For our study today, I have chosen, Colossians 2:11-12.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Courier;">In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self, ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by</span><sup><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 7.5pt;"> </span></sup><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Courier;">Christ, </span><span style="font-family: Courier;">having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">I chose this passage because, in my understanding this is the clearest passage about the rite of water baptism.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">Paul in this passage makes a clear analogy between <u>circumcision and baptism</u>. This connection is important, and understanding circumcision and what it meant for the Jews, will throw light on our understanding of Baptism.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">We know clearly that circumcision did not save anyone (Paul talks about it in Romans 2); Jews circumcised their kids, thus Judas most likely was circumcised yet he was not saved, we know many Jews were apostate, we know that Israel’s disobedience was the reason for their exile. Circumcision had no salvific benefit however, <u>it</u></span><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> was a sign of covenant (</span></u><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Courier; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">Genesis 17:11, Romans 4:11</span></u><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">), it brought the person into a covenantal relationship with God.</span></u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> Covenantal relationship is the key here, it means that the person is in God’s family and has access to all His oracles and promises.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">When a man and a woman gets married, they enter a <u>covenantal relationship</u> with each other. Now love is the one which initially brought them together and keeps them together. But marriage is a covenantal rite, during which they bind themselves with each other; for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">In the same way, faith is the one that brings us to God and keeps us with Him, but baptism is a covenantal rite which binds us with God. When this covenant is made, we become one with Christ (His body)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">Now, one may argue that circumcision was done for infants, so baptism should be done for infants too!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">Not really! first of all, Paul relates baptism to spiritual circumcision (</span><span style="font-family: Courier;">a circumcision not performed by human hands)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">; spiritual circumcision applies to adults (people who can understand its true meaning). <u>More importantly, circumcision was ethnic in nature and therefore applies by birth, baptism is not ethnic</u>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">What if someone is already baptised as infant, should he be re-baptised?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">Again, the answer is NO. Once someone has entered a covenantal relationship with God, he need not enter the covenant again. God honours the covenant that He makes, even if man doesn’t. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">Consider someone who got married as a child. Once they grow up and want to continue with the marital covenant that they made unknowingly, they need not get married again.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">So, to conclude, Baptism is a wonderful rite, that binds us with Christ. It is a sign that confirms to us that we belong to Christ and He to us. He is faithful to the covenant even when we are not. As Paul said, </span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">“</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord". </i>We are one!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><hr align="center" size="0" width="100%" /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">P.S. https://www.lexico.com/definition/covenant<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm; text-align: start;"><br /></p></div>Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-69704937652954322082018-05-27T09:25:00.001-07:002018-05-27T09:25:34.129-07:00I'm "The" Way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
One question that people often ask, specially in India, when you tell them that you must put your faith in Jesus and change your lifestyle, then God will forgive you of your sins, is that:<br />
<br />
<i>"Why only Jesus? If I don't put my trust in Jesus, then will God not forgive me? This isn't fair!"</i><br />
<br />
Lets look at Revelation 20, starting at verse 11.<br />
Revelation 20, is a prophesy of a day which is going to come, when God will judge everyone who was ever born.<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1342185562 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Helvetica Neue";
panose-1:2 0 5 3 0 0 0 2 0 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-452984065 1342208475 16 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.text
{mso-style-name:text;
mso-style-unhide:no;}
span.versenum
{mso-style-name:versenum;
mso-style-unhide:no;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11 </span></i></b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then
I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the
heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12 </span></i></b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books
were opened.Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead
were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13 </span></i></b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the
dead that were in them, <b>and each person was judged according to
what they had done</b>.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">14 </span></i></b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then
death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of
fire is the second death.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15 </span></i></b><i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyone
whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the
lake of fire.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<br />
Verse 13 is the key verse (see the line in Bold). So, the answer to the question that people often ask, is "NO, you don't have to put your trust in Jesus, God will judge everyone based on their deeds."<br />
<br />
As much as this sounds fair, let me assure you that it is in fact a very very very bad news.<br />
<br />
Mathew 5 verse 48 (also 1 Peter 1: 15)<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">48 </span></sup></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be
perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
This verse simply means that your deeds 'must' be as perfect as God is perfect.<br />
Now anyone who ever had a perfectionist spouse, can immediately understand the intensity of this demand :)<br />
<br />
For others, let me explain.<br />
<br />
Bible says, <i style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "American Typewriter", serif; font-size: 11pt;">God is light; in him there is no darkness <b>at
all</b>. </span></i>(1 John 1:5b)<br />
<!--EndFragment--><br />
If you consider a white sheet of paper as an example of being perfect, then a single tiny dot will make it imperfect. Similarly any sin, howsoever small, will make your deeds and therefore you, imperfect.<br />
<br />
And by the way, this example was a little too generous one. In reality, our sheets not just have one or two small dots but it is filled with dots, to the extent that its like scarlet or crimson (Isaiah 1:18)<br />
<br />
Psalms 130 : 3 says,<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3 </span></sup></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
you, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, kept a record of
sins,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "American Typewriter",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lord, who
could stand?</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
When God judges us according to our deeds, none of us can stand justified. Absolutely none!<br />
<br />
That is why we need Jesus. He is the only one who never sinned, the only one who was obedient to God even unto death, the only one whose sheet is completely white and without blemish, and he is the only one who took the punishment on behalf of all those who'll put their trust on him.<br />
<br />
And those who put their trust in Jesus, they'll be judged NOT based on their own deeds, but on the basis of Jesus' deeds; and will therefore be saved.<br />
<br />
So then, this is God's offer, this is His second chance to all of us who are helpless to save ourselves,<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Apple Chancery";">"Whosoever, puts their trust in Jesus, and change their lifestyle, will be forgiven, for
Jesus' sake."</span></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let us therefore, beloved, be wise; and accept
God's offer before its too late; because Jesus is "the" way...!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"American Typewriter";
panose-1:2 9 6 4 2 0 4 2 3 4;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612625 25 0 0 273 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"American Typewriter";
panose-1:2 9 6 4 2 0 4 2 3 4;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612625 25 0 0 273 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"American Typewriter";
panose-1:2 9 6 4 2 0 4 2 3 4;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612625 25 0 0 273 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Apple Chancery";
panose-1:3 2 7 2 4 5 6 6 5 4;
mso-font-charset:177;
mso-generic-font-family:script;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-2147481497 3 0 0 499 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"American Typewriter";
panose-1:2 9 6 4 2 0 4 2 3 4;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612625 25 0 0 273 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"American Typewriter";
panose-1:2 9 6 4 2 0 4 2 3 4;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612625 25 0 0 273 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"American Typewriter";
panose-1:2 9 6 4 2 0 4 2 3 4;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612625 25 0 0 273 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style></div>
Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-19692076516376091442018-01-14T21:26:00.001-08:002018-01-15T00:32:26.953-08:00Christ - Center of our life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Is Christ the center of your life?</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every christian should ask this to himself, even otherwise, for sure, he must have heard this question at least once. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But what does it mean!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was pretty sure I knew.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I was planning to buy a house, I first prayed about it and when I found one I gave all the glory to God (which rightly, I must). When I was preparing for admission in some college, I diligently prayed about it and when I successfully got placed I knew that it's only because of the Lord's mercy and I gave all the credit to Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I truly depended on God for all my decisions, I earnestly wanted His will not mine. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Does that mean Christ was the center of my life? </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of course He was at the center of my life, a</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">fter all I acknowledge Him in everything I do;</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> or was He?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To know that, let's first try to define what it means to be center of one's life.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"When someone becomes so important for you that you are ready to go to any extent to meet <b>their</b> desires and <b>their</b> interests; they become the center of your life. Your whole life basically revolves around them and what they like"</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The best example, that I can think of is when a child is born to a couple. He immediately becomes the center of their life. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They are ready to sacrifice those late night parties they used to enjoy, for him; they are ready to miss that college reunion, if he's not well; they are ready to even sit and watch that cartoon series for an hour, for him. They are ready to do anything for him even if it's unpleasant and boring, and they'd never do it except if it was for him. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the same way, when I say Christ is the center of my life, His desire and His interests must become more important to me, than my own.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now what is Christ's desire and his interests?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Luke 19:10 Jesus said, <i>"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost".</i> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He came to save the sinners, to reconcile man to God.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He did this while he was in this world and when he left, He commissioned this task to His disciples.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Matthew 28:19-20</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So as a disciple of Christ I am in a mission, I am co-labourer with Christ in His mission.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The way I used to pray shows that God wasn't center of my life, I was. And since I can't risk making wrong decisions, I want God. Who else can make sure that I don't make a blunder other than the all knowing God?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I wanted God to be on my side rather than I being on His side. </i></span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I wanted God to approve what I want to do rather than doing what God wants to do.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If Christ is center of my life, I look for a job and I make sure that it doesn't deter my mission to know Christ and to make him known; If Christ is the center of my life, I don't buy a house just because I want to, but I make a house which is open for prayer and His work.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I don't ask God, is this Job good for my future?, will I do well? </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(no harm in doing it though) </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">rather I analyze the work and ask God before taking it up, to make sure that this work must not deter the mission for which I have been called out.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Truly when Paul says I've been crucified with Christ, he understood that it is no longer, his desire and his ambitions that was important but Christ's desire and His mission that is worth doing.</span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let's remold our lives to make Christ </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>truly</i></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> center of our lives whatever the cost maybe!</span></h4>
</div>
Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-63866626961738272052017-07-03T12:28:00.001-07:002017-07-03T12:28:58.949-07:00Adapt to the realm of Christ!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />Colossians 2:6-7</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">So then, as you received Christ Jesus the
Lord continue to walk in Him, rooted and build up in Him; established in the
faith, just as you were taught.</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I was meditating on this verse a couple of
weeks ago; and was wondering what “continue to walk <b><i>in</i></b> Him”
would mean. I realized that the Greek word which is translated to English
as <i>“in”</i>; means to be literally inside someone or something. It also
means to be in a realm or in a kingdom.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">What is a realm?</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">We live on the land, which is a realm. Every
realm has its own principles and the one who lives in that realm has to live
under those principles. For e.g. on land there is gravity so all those who live
on land are under gravity. On land, you have to breathe in a certain manner,
you can’t breathe the same way inside water; which is a different realm. There
is no gravity in that realm and therefore one who lives inside water can’t
walk, rather they swim. Those who live in the realm of water has to obey the principles
of that realm.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">With this knowledge, let’s try to understand
Colossians 2:6-7.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">So then, as you received Christ Jesus the
Lord continue to walk in Him</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">How did we receive Christ? By trusting in the
*gospel of Christ.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">By faith, as soon as we received Christ as
the Lord, we are virtually put into a new realm where the principles of Christ
apply. We must therefore continue to live our lives according to the principles
of this realm.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Even though we are currently in the realm of
the world where its principles like envy, jealousy, independence from God etc.
are present but, we are virtually placed into the realm of Christ and therefore
principles of this realm such as love, kindness, dependence on God etc. must
apply on us and <b>not</b> the principles of the world.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Consider an astronaut who’s going to travel
to space. He doesn’t go to the space until he has trained himself to adapt to
this new realm of space. He takes training in a space training center. This
training center is in this land but the principles of this land such as gravity
doesn’t apply inside it, so that the astronaut can adapt himself to the
principles of space before he finally travels to space and be able to survive
there.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Something similar God is doing with us. We
also call this process as sanctification.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">We are in this world but we practice to live
by the principles of Christ so that we can adapt to realm of Christ where God
is one day going to take us permanently.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">In the next part, Paul teaches us how do we
practice to live by the principles of this new realm:</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">rooted and build up in Him; established in
the faith</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">To be established in the faith, we must first
know:</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">What is our faith? And how to be
established in it?</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Our faith is in the *gospel of Christ. That
is our faith.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">And to be establish in it simply means to be
sure of it. It doesn’t mean to be adamant about it but rather to be convinced
about it. We’ll be convinced about our faith, if we are rooted and are build-up
in the realm of Christ.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">To be <i>rooted</i> is to remain in
one place, in this context it implies to remain in the realm of Christ, and as
the root grows it also gets firm in that place; it symbolizes that we must first know the principles of this realm (by meditating on the word of God)
and then more importantly obey them. The more we obey the more
we’ll <i>build</i> ourselves up i.e. to say adapt ourselves to this new realm.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">As Paul taught us, let us therefore be rooted
(don’t give up and be firm) in the realm of Christ and keep building (adapting)
ourselves up by meditating in His word and obeying Him, till He comes to take us <i>physically</i> into His realm.</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">May our God uphold us in these training days!</span><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Courier; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #7F7F7F; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=50000 lumo=50000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">*Gospel: </span><span style="color: #7f7f7f; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #7F7F7F; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=50000 lumo=50000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Courier; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #7F7F7F; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=50000 lumo=50000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128;">God promised
through His prophets that He’ll save the world by sending His Messiah and
accordingly, Jesus Christ was born in Israel. He did many good works, He gave
eyes to the blind, healed the sick and many believed in Him however, some did
not believe in Him. Those who did not believe in Him, killed Him by crucifying
Him on a cross; just as God foretold through His prophets. However, on the
third day God raised him up from the dead and He was seen by many people whom
God selected and He told them to proclaim now that God has made Him LORD over
all, both dead and alive; <i>and whoever trusts in Him will be forgiven of
their sins.</i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #454545}
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;}
p.p1, li.p1, div.p1
{mso-style-name:p1;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Helvetica Neue";
panose-1:2 0 5 3 0 0 0 2 0 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-452984065 1342208475 16 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style></div>
Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-4577875068466354862016-12-06T08:02:00.000-08:002016-12-06T08:09:02.473-08:00Holy Communion….err… Lord’s Supper?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
p
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0cm;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do this in
remembrance of Me!</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let’s check your Algebra first! What is (a-b)<sup>3</sup>?
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Forgot..?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You know one of the biggest problem with human kind
is that they forget! Events are lost in the mists of time and becomes history.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let me share with you a story about a teacher who noticed that his students always seemed to struggled with algebra. One day he thought of an idea; he gave his students a red square card,
and instructed them to keep it in their wallet, and every time they saw that
card they should remind themselves all the algebraic formulas.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">His students started to follow this method and
pretty soon the students could remember all the algebraic formulas; even when they were woken up in the middle of the night, they can recite all the algebraic formulas. As time went by, these students
started to teach other students using this method. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Eventually with the success of this method, the red card got quite famous,
and many legends started around it as well. Some people even started
believing that if you had a red card in your wallet the spirit of the old
master would come into you and teach you algebra. People started to revere the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Red Card’. </i>As a
result, many people now had a red card, but no one knew algebraic formulas.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many years passed by, and one day a small
boy was reading the story about this famous teacher and his method to teach
algebra to his students. He marveled<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span>
and decided to follow this method to learn
algebra. But there was a problem. The child lived in a far far away country
where they knew only to make black and white color papers. He struggled and
tried everything he could, to make a red color card, but failed. Being determined
to learn algebra, he instead made a Black color square card and kept it in his wallet. Every time he saw the black card, he reminded himself
the algebraic equations. And pretty soon he was much better in algebra than all
those people who were revering the red card but never practiced algebra.</span></span><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What do you say? Do you think the students who revered the red card
were the real followers of the master or the one with black card?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let’s now see what Jesus taught His
disciples:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 6:53-54</b> So
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of
the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 He
who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up
on the last day.<b> </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>John 6:63</b> It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing;
the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.<b> </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>Matthew 26:26-28</b> While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and
after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take,
eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He
gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My
blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To know what happened in John 6 let me give you a
little bit of context. Many people were following Jesus after the
miracle he performed of feeding five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two
fish. He knew that they are following Him for food. So, he said to them, "I
can give you food that gives eternal life", and obviously, they all wanted that
bread. And then He said to them that He's the bread that came from Heaven
and unless they eat His flesh and drink His blood they’ll not have eternal life
(John 6:53-54). This offended them because He said that he came from Heaven. As
a result, many left him.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He later explained to his disciples what he
actually meant; He said that the literal flesh is in fact of no use and won't
give them eternal life even if they eat it, rather it is the spirit and his
teachings, that will give them life. It is in believing Him and obeying His
commandments will they get eternal life.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus knew that people by nature forget. So,
during the Last Supper (Mathew 26:26-28) He gave his disciples a tradition; He
gave them bread to eat and wine to drink and instructed them to do this in
remembrance of Him (Luke 22:19). </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Which means do this, every time you meet, so that
you NEVER forget that it is only because of Jesus that you are saved and obedience to His commandments is the only way to eternal life.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Over time the bread and wine has become so holy and
reverential that they no longer serve the purpose they were institutionalized
for. People don’t even know what it’s supposed to remind them of.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I believe that someone who eats Idli and drinks
Sambhar but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>remembers</u>
every time that it is Jesus who gives him life</i> is more blessed than the one who eats unleavened bread and wine but don’t know why he’s
doing it. What's the purpose of Red Card if you never learn algebra?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>So then, every time we take that bread in our hand let us remind ourselves that </b><b><i><b>it is through Jesus' sacrifice that I am saved</b>, it is Jesus and his
teachings that has life and I must strive to obey them.</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">By the way, there is no word Communion in the
Bible, it’s only the Lord’s Supper!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2062505748314874114.post-91466441644534202472016-10-14T10:49:00.001-07:002016-11-21T05:11:59.787-08:00A Lesson...!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:1;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Apostle Paul
quotes in Romans 1 (</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">from Book of Habakkuk)</span>, </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">"The one who is Righteous by faith, shall
live."</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Which simply means
"if, you believe what Christ did for you through his Death and Resurrection can save you, it indeed will." </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">You mean to say just
believe and you'll be saved..... Really? Just believe that Christ has paid for all my
sins and I'll be saved...!! What about the sins that I commit after that? Do I not
need to make <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">amends</span> for them? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Gospel is
so simple that our complex mind can’t accept it as a solution to all our
problems, except when God reveals it to us, and it then starts making sense. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">It all sounds
too good to believe. I too struggled with it for many years, until
one beautiful morning when I was reading my bible, pondering upon these
questions and God taught me, a lesson!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I am a software
engineer by profession and the parable that God told me that day would make more
sense to people in similar profession. Anyone with some fair idea about how the IT industry works would be able to relate to it as well.</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Once there was
a person, who happened to be a software programmer and his job was to solve the
defects that are there in the software. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">How things work in IT industry is that,
once someone (customer or testing group) reports a bug (bug is defect in the
software) the programmer has to fix it. Unfortunately, the bug has to be fixed within a time limit (Say, 1 week). If one fails to fix the bug within this deadline
he's not fit for the job. The programmer's potential is <i>judged</i> based on him meeting the deadline.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">This
deadline is something like the "<span style="font-size: large;">Law</span>". If you keep the Law you are a
good person and if you can't you aren't. If the person can fix the bug within
the deadline he's a good programmer else, he isn't.</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Well honestly,
this person wasn't such a good programmer. He couldn't solve the problem in a week, it was
impossible for him. He tried hard, but ever so often just failed to meet the
deadline. This caused him frustration. He couldn't let this go on forever, else
very soon he'd lose his job. So now he started to hide the bug. In other words,
he just masked it so that no one can see it. He put hacks around in the
software and everyone thought the defect is solved. In the eyes of customer, he
now became a good programmer meeting his deadlines. But he alone knew that he wasn't. He had not
solved the defect, it’s still there; just hidden from people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">This is
synonymous to "<span style="font-size: large;">Self-Righteousness</span>". We know we can't keep the Law,
but until we keep it we aren't good people. Thus we just try to show the
world that we are indeed good by doing things that look good. We try to be just
and kind and generous. We are kind to one person and a moment later curse
another. We and we alone know, deep down our hearts that we can never be as
good as the Law require yet in the eyes of the world we may be the nicest
person that ever lived. </span></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The company
where this person worked knew what’s happening, how this employee had been just masking
the defect. And not just he but many other employees worked more or less in the
same manner. Hence one day the company informed everyone that there would no
longer be any deadlines. Employees could take as many days as they want to fix the
defect without any consequence what so ever. This indeed is too good a news to
be true.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">This is
nothing but like the "<span style="font-size: large;">Grace</span>" of God. When God so kindly removed the
curses of Law for all who believes in Death and Resurrection of Christ.</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">This person now
can work afresh in this new freedom that he has received. He can concentrate on
solving the defect without worrying about the deadlines. With new zeal he
starts working, only to realize that he in fact isn't a good programmer and can never solve any defect in the software.<i> </i>Here's
the paradox, he desires now to solve the defect with all his heart, he doesn’t want
to mask it anymore, but he can’t do it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Our ongoing
struggle with our "<span style="font-size: large;">Flesh</span>" after being born-again is all about this
paradox. As Paul said in Romans 7 "For I do not do the good I want, but
the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The company
knew of this paradox and therefore when the deadlines were removed they also
engaged all the employees on a training program under the best trainer
available.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">This trainer
and the training program are alike the gift of "<span style="font-size: large;">Holy Spirit</span>" that all
the born-again Christians get when they accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.
The Holy Spirit from then on teaches them and guides them. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The more the
employees spend time with the trainer the better programmers they'll become.
The same training program and same trainer is available to all the employees.
It's just a matter of who spends more time with him to become better
programmer. The trainer is indeed the best and if the employees continue with him
they'll sooner or later become one of the best programmers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Remember! the training isn't easy, it requires complete commitment; it requires giving up of all other priorities; it requires discipline; but we know this for sure, <i>"its worth it!!!". </i>The reproach of Christ is indeed greater wealth, than all the treasures of this World.<i> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Needless to
say that we, born-again Christians, must spend time with God, reading His word
and depending on the Holy Spirit to teach us. And the more we do this the more
our <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">"</span>Sanctification</span><span style="font-size: small;">"</span> will be. And this process has a cost which requires you to deny your self and let Christ be your all in all.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>P.S. I don't mean to say you can go on 'living' (by living I mean continuous and willingly) sinful life just because your life is now saved by faith. <i>You can't in fact you won't</i>.</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><u>As in the example of this software programmer he still has to solve defects in the code. Only now he has a desire (willingness) to solve because he's free from the terror of meeting deadlines.</u> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">May God
bless you and reveal Himself more to you!</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Ashish Raohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09008242521370524276noreply@blogger.com0