tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66317836591573154652024-02-20T16:09:27.870-08:00Livengood's Seed ThoughtsAuthor and Speaker, Dedicated to opening the door for people to experience the Presence, power, and purity of God. Author of The Glory Factor and The Wow Factor.
Since 1984 ministry has taken them to many nations. Preaching in front line Evangelistic Crusades, Revivals, Pastor’s Conferences and Summits on Revival, and to youth camps.
Mike Livengood Ministries mikelivengoodministries.com
Doorkeepers New Zealand doorkeepersnewzealand.org
Revival Reports from Doorkeepers (Facebook page)
Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-5826735322422857062019-01-28T14:09:00.001-08:002019-01-28T14:09:11.680-08:00LIVING EXPECTANTLY...ON THE LOOKOUTMark 15:43 “He was one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the Kingdom of God.” - Message Translation<br /><br />LIVING EXPECTANTLY…ON THE LOOKOUT<br /><br />The Message Translation describes Jospeh of Arimathaea as “one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the Kingdom of God.” (Mark 15:43)<br /><br />I am challenged today to live expectantly, on the lookout for God’s Kingdom. First of all I am challenged to live my life today anticipating the sound of the trumpet. I want to be looking for the return of my King. When I live looking for the coming of my King it changes my system of values. Earthly things begin to dim when I am living in the light of heaven. <br /><br />When I live expectantly, looking for the Kingdom of God it changes my character. The return of Jesus has always been a motivator toward holy living. In 1 John 3:3 the Holy Spirit inspires John to write, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (KJV)<br /><br />But I am challenged by another thought. Am I on the lookout for activities of the Kingdom of God that are occurring around me? Sometimes I can be so busy looking for what I perceive to be the big kingdom stuff that I miss Kingdom activities. God may be at work, but I miss it because I am not looking for Him in the affairs of my daily life.<br /><br />Today, I want to not only be looking for Him to come to set up the eternal Kingdom (come, Lord Jesus) but I also want to be expectantly looking for the Kingdom happening around me.Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-34619583623854420082019-01-05T06:39:00.002-08:002019-01-05T06:39:59.459-08:00<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="4i6j6" data-offset-key="dejf7-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(28, 30, 33); color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-size-adjust: auto; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="dejf7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">01/05/2019</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dejf7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Whose Hair Do You Pull?</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dejf7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dejf7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Whose hair do you pull? Ezra in 9:3 of the book bearing his name has been told of the sin of the people (especially the leaders). The ESV says, "As soon as I heard this ... [I] </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="b5fh-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled." One scholar observes how different Nehemiah responded to a similar situation in Nehemiah 13:25, "I confronted them ... and pulled out their hair." Here are two practical observations. God used two different men with entirely different personalities. He still does. Secondly, while the responses were different neither was wrong. I need to be "appalled" at sin on a personal level. Intercession and brokenness over the sin of society needs to grip us. Sometimes though we are called to to confront the sin and to spiritually pull out the hair of the one living in it. Leaders need to preach on sin. I would suggest we pull out our hair though before we start pulling out the hair on another head or beard.</span></div>
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Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-74013843523287746582015-06-10T17:56:00.002-07:002015-06-10T17:56:58.248-07:00When God Wanted to Shut Down the Church<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I have been praying for the last 30 minutes or so. I was reading this Scripture from Malachi 1:10 in the BBE version, "If only there was one among you who would see that the doors were shut, so that you might not put a light to the fire on my altar for nothing! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of armies, and I will not take an offering from your hands."</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The Expositor's Bible Commentary makes the following rather pointed commentary. "God, once again speaking of himself</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> in the first person, wished that the temple would go out of business. As long as it was not serving as a meeting place for God and man, why should any perfunctory and self-deceiving rituals go on it it? Not only were the sacrifices ineffective, but the priests and the people were lulled into thinking that their deeds were winning God's approval. So why not shut the temple doors and be done with what was for priests merely a nuisance? The thought may be applied to present-day churches that have ceased to be places where people worship in spirit and in truth and are merely meeting places and nothing more. It would be better for them to close down that to continue misleading those who think that what they are doing pleases God. He could hardly have spoken his mind more clearly than he did in the last part of verse ten: "I am not pleased with you ... and I will accept no offering from your hands."<br />May the Spirit of the Lord never come to the place He says to us "You may as well quit what you are doing because it offends me and I will not be a part of it." Many good deeds are being done by many groups. May it be that the church never loses sight of our primary call and purpose.</span>Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-73071081911000399752015-02-01T16:28:00.001-08:002015-02-01T16:28:18.618-08:00Extravagant Worship
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">2 Samuel 6: <u>16</u> And when the ark of the
Lord came into the town of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looking out of the
window, saw King David dancing and jumping before the Lord; and to her mind he
seemed foolish.</span>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">In describing the reaction of Michal to the
worship of King David upon the entrance of the ark into the city of God the BBE
says, "to her mind he seemed foolish."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">And so extravagant worshippers still often
appear to others. Does the worship of another seem foolish to you? Remember,
they are not worshipping you. The question is not does the worship seem foolish
to you but how does it appear to the One to whom the worship is directed?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">The extravagant worshipper must not seek to
offend others but must simply be so captured with the object of His love that
the opinions of the others simply fails to enter the equation. The
"Davids" must know their worship will always be "foolish"
to the Michals of this world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">What was it that appeared to specifically annoy
Michal? The BBE says it was his "dancing and jumping before the
Lord." It seems the demonstrative worship tends to create more disturbance
than the silent variety.</span></span></div>
Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-16499716660906511632015-02-01T16:26:00.000-08:002015-02-01T16:26:59.672-08:00When Your People Rebel Against You
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">1 Samuel 30: 6 And David was greatly
troubled; for the people were talking of stoning him, because their hearts were
bitter, every man sorrowing for his sons and his daughters: but David made
himself strong in the Lord his God. (BBE)</span>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">David is greatly troubled. First he is facing
personal tragedy. His own wives have been taken captive by the Amalekites.
Secondly the people were talking about stoning him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Every leader will go through moments where the
people they are leading will rise up against them in some fashion. It is
important we understand why the people do what they do. The people were lashing
out at David from their own hurt. Their hearts were crushed over the perceived
loss of their families. Personal crisis will often cause people to strike out
at the leadership. It is also important to note these were the men who were
following David but the concerns of their family were of greater concern to
them that loyalty to David. Family wins out over most relationships most of the
time. Therefore do not expect people to support you at the expense of their
family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">How are you to respond in those situations?
David made himself strong in the Lord. Do not always be needing for someone
else to pick you up. Make yourself strong. But understand this strength is
found in your personal relationship with your Lord.</span></span></div>
Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-17213523589605686172015-02-01T16:21:00.001-08:002015-02-01T16:21:38.768-08:00When the Crowd is Right
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">2 Samuel 18:3-5</span>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Normally the leader sets the pace but from time
to time the leader needs to bow to the wisdom of the group. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">David said, "I will do whatever seems best
to you."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">He had planned on taking the lead in the coming
battle but the people recognized quite correctly that on this occassion it was
best this great military leader remain off of the front lines.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">We must not let our stubborness keep us from
hearing words of wisdom that come from the lips of others. Sometimes God's
voice does come through the wisdom of others.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Lay your will down and accept His will
regardless of how that revelation comes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">It is important to be able to discern when these
times come. The wisdom from the crowd was based on two things. First it was based
on the good of the Kingdom. Secondly it was based on the good of the leader.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">The crowd was not limiting David's leadership.
They were protecting both him and the Kingdom. The leader must look beyond his
own ego to determine if the wisdom of the crowd is for their convenience or for
the good of the Kingdom.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">In this verse another reason for David to remain
off of the front comes through. His own emotions were clouding his wisdom. He,
as a father was quite concerned over the welfare of his son. He had forgotten
that son did not share the same concern for him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Had David gone to the front line he would have
preserved the one creating the rebellion. Unless Absalom had a change of heart
this action on David's part would have only delayed the inevitable.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A leader cannot allow his personal situations to
cloud his vision. He must see what is best for the people he is leading.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">There is no way
to mitigate the pain the leader will feel when the welfare of the people being
led and the welfare of the leader's family are in conflict</span>
Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-78903081337426888422015-02-01T16:15:00.001-08:002015-02-01T16:15:35.679-08:00When Crisis Cuts Off Promotion
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Jeremiah 45: <u>4</u> This is what you are to
say to him: The Lord has said, Truly, the building which I put up will be
broken down, and that which was planted by me will be uprooted, and this
through all the land;</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>5</u>*
And as for you, are you looking for great things for yourself? Have no desire
for them: for truly I will send evil on all flesh, says the Lord: but your life
I will keep safe from attack wherever you go.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">When Crisis Cuts Off Personal Glory</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Baruch is receiving both a promise and a caution
or a warning in this prophetic word through Jeremiah. First comes the
caution<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or the warning. Don't
expect personal greatness or security during this coming time of tragedy.
Baruch is not to be concerned about developing his own ministry and personal
fortunes during this time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">The promise is the Lord would keep him safe in
the midst of all the terrible things that would befall the nation. Even if he
was taken as a prisoner to another country the Lord would be with him and keep
him alive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">The time in which one lives presents both
opportunities and difficulties. Personal goals may be required to take<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>back seat because of larger public
issues.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">As followers of Jesus we still live within the
context of the time we live in. World War II interrupted the lives of believers
in the same way it interrupted the lives of non believers. Some will never rise
to great personal heights because the situations in which they live will not
permit it. However they can still be used of God in those situations. Noted
politicians are speaking about living for a cause greater than yourself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Secondly even in adverse international
situations you can have the promise of Divine protection.</span></span></div>
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Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-53546690575035745612015-02-01T16:13:00.000-08:002015-02-01T16:13:25.402-08:00Who has your ear?
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">1 Kings 12:6-10</span>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">In one sense the issue was not the age of the
counselors but the wisdom of their counsel. One group gave wise counsel the
other showed arrogance. In this incident the wisdom came from those of much
experience and the arrogant response came from those of the more immature
years.</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">One must be careful not to overgeneralize but
this passage does depict the danger that often is experienced by the leadership
of youth. If you are young and have been placed in leadership it is incumbent
upon you to gather wise counsellors around you. Do not just look for those who
flatter you with their opinions but for those who actions reflect a concern for
the welfare of the whole.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Rehoboam appears to just be looking for the
counsel that stroked his ego. He "gave no attention to the opinion of the
old men." Those who pay no attention to the opinions of certain groups of
people run the risk of alienating that group.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Servant leadership may not appear to be as
“strong” as dictatorial leadership but it is more secure. People are looking
for a leader. They will follow one who expresses concern for them. If the
people think “you feel their pain” they will follow you.</span></span></div>
Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-76668528915388328172015-02-01T15:31:00.000-08:002015-02-01T15:31:22.901-08:00Building Favour and Giving Thanks
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">1 Samuel 30:<u>26</u> And when David came to
Ziklag, he sent some of the goods to the responsible men of Judah, and to his
friends, saying, Here is an offering for you from the goods of those who were
fighting against the Lord;</span>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>27</u>
He sent to those who were in Beth-el, and in Ramah of the South, and in Jattir;</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>28</u>
And to those in Arara and Eshtemoa</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>29</u>
and Carmel and in the towns of the Jerahmeelites, and in the towns of the
Kenites;</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>30</u>
And to those who were in Hormah and in Bor-ashan and in Athach;</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>31</u>
And in Hebron, and to all the places where David and his men had been living.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Not only does David reward all of his men
equally for their participation in the victory over the Amalekites but he also
sends gifts to those places and people where David and his men had been hosted
(see vs 31).</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">First in doing this he is expressing thanks for
their support of him during a time of need in his life. He remembered those who
had blessed him and purposed to be a blessing to them.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Secondly he was creating good will among these
friends and responsible people. He was sowing into the day he would be
returning to become king and would need their support.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Thirdly it is possible some of these people had
been adversely affected by the Amalekites and David is restoring to them what
had been taken.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Finally notice David does not send these
"love gifts" to the people of Keilah and Ziph who had betrayed him to
Saul. He does not hurt them but neither does he honor them.</span></span></div>
Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-36647819407189833892015-02-01T15:27:00.001-08:002015-02-01T15:27:50.568-08:00Team Building/Equal Rewards
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">1 Samuel 30:21 And David came to the
two hundred men, who because of weariness had not gone with him, but were
waiting at the stream Besor: and they went out, meeting David and the people
who were with him; and when they came near them, they said, How are you?</span>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>22</u>*
Then the bad and good-for-nothing men among those who went with David said,
Because they did not go with us, we will give them nothing of the goods which
we have got back, but only to every man his wife and children, so that he may
take them and go.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>23</u>*
Then David said, You are not to do this, my brothers, after what the Lord has
given us, who has kept us safe and given up the band which came against us into
our hands.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>24</u>*
Who is going to give any attention to you in this question? for an equal part
will be given to him who went to the fight and to him who was waiting by the
goods: they are all to have the same.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>25</u>*
And so he made it a rule and an order for Israel from that day till now.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">When David returned from recapturing his wives
from the Amalekites he was greeted by the 1/3 of his men who had not gone along
in the effort to pursue the Amalekites.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">These were the men who had been unable for
various reasons to cross the river in pursuit.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">In church life, in fact in any corporate life,
there will be moments some of the followers are not going to be able to keep up
with you as leader.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">There own situations will overwhelm them and
they cannot see your vision. Fatigue or other personal issues will keep them
from giving the support you expected them to give you concerning your vision.
How are you to respond to them?</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">A significant number of the 2/3 of the men who
had gone all the way with David wanted to punish those who had not gone with
them to the battle.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">They were prepared to return to them their wives
and children but not to share with them any of the fruit of their labor.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Some will always reason "these people did
nothing to contribute so they should not share in the victory."</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">However notice the Scripture calls these the
"bad and good-for-nothing men" (BBE) who felt this way.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">David realized the long term relationships were
more important than short term situations. Never lose the big view.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">He would not accept the viewpoint of those who
would punish the weak and discouraged in the group.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">He recognized that during the seasons of
rejoicing is not the time to become vindicative.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">David is not swayed by the emotions of the few.
He keeps the good of the whole in mind. Team building is important.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">An equal part would be given to those who went
to the battle and to those who stayed with the stuff. David protected the
dignity of those who had not been able to keep up with the others. He did this
by saying they had been waiting with the goods. Some will go to the front lines
and others will have support roles. Both should be rewarded.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">A leader can bring division within his team or a
leader can create unity within the team.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">David established a precedent. Some traditions
are good. David made it a rule that all members of the team...of the
church...of the company are to share in the victories won. No one is to be made
to feel of less value.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">David set a gracious guideline and others
followed it.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">A father does not expect all children to carry
out equal work. He gives assignments according to the abilities. Then he
creates opportunities for everyone to rejoice together.</span></span></div>
Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-72250757237316006332015-02-01T15:16:00.001-08:002015-02-01T15:16:41.791-08:00Keeper of My PeopleThe prophetic word to David had been he would be a shepherd of the people of God (he would feed them or keep them) and he would be their prince (ruler or leader).<br />
<br />
These two expressions really do define the twin responsibilities found in leadership in the Kingdom of God.<br />
<br />
If you are a spiritual leader then you are called to shepherd or feed and protect the people. The welfare of the people must be your concern.<br />
<br />
Spiritual shepherds must also understand they are to lead the people of God. While dictatorship is not to be practiced ruler-ship cannot be abdicated. <br />
<br />
Others would be a part of the leadership team but the final responsibility for the team rested with David.Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-86658590107293481092015-02-01T15:12:00.000-08:002015-02-01T15:28:40.704-08:00“All the people...as well to the women as men.”<style>
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<br />
<span style="color: white;">2 Samuel 6:19 And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. (KJV) <br /><br />Gender prejudice has always been contrary to the Word of God. David has blessed the Lord. Now he is blessing the people. Note this blessing expresses David’s generosity. From verse one of this chapter we know there at least 30,000 at this celebration.<br /><br />The blessing he blesses with is material. During a time of celebration he provides food and drink for the entire nation. The KJV describes the food provided as “a cake of bread...piece of flesh...flagon of wine.” There is value in realizing our Great King provides for us that which we have need of. That which sustains us is provided. <br /><br />In the classic Christmas movie “A Wonderful Life” there is a scene where a new home is being celebrated. Gifts are being given including bread to symbolize sufficient food and a bottle of wine to symbolize joy.<br /><br />What really struck me with this passage of Scripture was the phrase “all the people...as well to the women as men.” God’s concern has always been to the women as well as to the men. Do not limit the work of God to and through men. All the women are to participate. God does!</span>Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-40462592407970987632014-11-19T01:53:00.000-08:002014-11-19T01:53:25.423-08:00When Leaders Fall Into Sin1 Chronicles 5:24-26<br /><br />Seven men are described here in significant terms. They are called (BBE) men of war, of great name, and heads of families. These are the leaders of the people.<br /><br />Tragically in v. 25 they are described as doing evil against the Lord by beginning to worship the gods of the people of the land. These were the same gods that had not been able to protect the land from them and now they were beginning to worship them. It appears to be true that sin makes people stupid!<br /><br />As a result we read in v. 26 the Lord put it into the heart of the kings of Assyria to take them away as prisoners. Here we see God using the ungodly kings to punish His own children. BBE says "God...put an impulse into the heart of Paul." This is often the way the Lord works. He places an impulse inside the hearts of people. The people carry out the act and often are unaware where the impulse even came from. <br /><br />Notice v. 24-25 talks about the activities of seven leaders while v. 26 describes the consequences experienced by the entirety of the tribes they led. Often the actions of leaders has unintended consequences on their followers.<br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-15888749203345338142014-11-19T01:52:00.001-08:002014-11-19T01:52:39.804-08:00Stiffnecked PeopleIsaiah 26:10-11<br /><br />The perverseness of the sinner is revealed in these verses. There is a group of people who will not be touched by the grace of God.<br /><br />The BBE puts it this way, "Even if you are kind to the evil-doer, he will not go after righteousness." Some people are drawn to the Lord because of His mercy. However there is a group that misunderstands kindness. God's mercy is seen as weakness. The prophet sees a group who will experience the kindness of God but will still refuse to pursue righteousness. God will go after them but they will not go after God.<br /><br />This group can be surrounded by upright people but still they will persist in a lifestyle of wrongdoing. Their problem is not their surroundings. Their problem is in their heart. People will say if I was only in different circumstances then I would be different. However some would still continue to be ungodly.<br /><br />This group continues to refuse to recognize God's majesty and glory. They refuse to recognize His inherit right to be worshipped.<br /><br />No matter what God does to seek to gain the attention of this group they refuse to pay attention. John Calvin would suggest the Lord lifts His hand in creation for all to see but some refuse to see what is plainly before them. <br /><br />Other scholars suggest God lifts His hand in a warning or threatening gesture yet still the wicked refuse to recognize the Lord.<br /><br />However the day will come when they will see the justice of God. They will see that indeed the Lord was God. However the day of their acknowledgment will be too late for they will find themselves "burned up in the fire."<br /><br />If we continue to refuse to grasp the message of Divine mercy then the message of Divine wrath will become ours.<br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-24348608853665220602014-11-19T01:51:00.001-08:002014-11-19T01:51:15.036-08:00Kill the Assassin2 Samuel 4:9 And David made answer to Rechab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, By the living Lord, who has kept me safe from all my trouble,<br /> 10 When one came to me with the news of Saul’s death, in the belief that it would be good news, I took him and put him to death in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news:<br /> 11 How much more, when evil men have put an upright person to death, in his house, sleeping on his bed, will I take payment from you for his blood, and have you cut off from the earth?<br /> 12 And David gave orders to his young men and they put them to death, cutting off their hands and their feet and hanging them up by the side of the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and put it in its last resting-place with Abner’s body in Hebron. (BBE)<br /><br />David refused to give honor to the men who had killed Ishbosheth in order to make him king. In fact he ordered their execution.<br /><br />Let me suggest the following secenarios. David refused to be a part of their treachery and by executing them was declaring his horror at their actions.<br /><br />David is recognizing some actions are right and some are not. He followed the rules of engagement whether his enemies did nor did not.<br /><br />David was also practicing justice. He was not prepared to accept the Kingdom at any price. Justice would not be abrogated just to advance his cause. How easy it is for people to live by principle unless the abandonment of that principle produces profit, promotion, prestige or popularity for them.<br /><br />David also recognized the treachery of these men should not be rewarded. If that had assassinated one king they would be willing to assassinate another. He knew he could never really be at peace as long as they lived. Those who promote you by treachery will also raise their hand against you if it is to their advantage to do so.<br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-27643973399637203732014-11-19T01:49:00.002-08:002014-11-19T01:49:55.739-08:00The Price of Broken Faith2 Kings 14:14 “And he took all the gold and silver and all the vessels which were in the house of the Lord and in the storehouse of the king, together with those whose lives would be the price of broken faith, and went back to Samaria.” (BBE)<br /><br />Those Whose Lives Are the Price of Broken Faith<br /><br />Most translations use the word hostage in this verse. That is a very accurate reading. I was struck though with the reading in the BBE. Some people paid the price with their lives for broken faith.<br /><br />The story line is this. Amaziah, King of Judah challenges Jehoash, King of Israel to war. In spite of the attempts of Jehoash to dissuade Amaziah from this course of action the battle is struck. Amaziah experiences a crushing defeat at the hands of Jehoash. Amaziah himself is taken prisoner, the walls of Jerusalem are destroyed, the wealth of both the temple and the palace is plundered, and a number of citizens are taken hostage.<br /><br />The BBE describes the latter by saying “he took...those whose lives would be the price of broken faith.”<br /><br />Often it seems the innocent suffer for the actions of the guilty. Amaziah broke faith and the people suffered.<br /><br />How many children have suffered because of the actions of their parents?<br />How many citizens have suffered because of the actions of their governmental leaders?<br /><br />If you break faith someone will pay the price!<br /><br />If you are a leader your focus must be the welfare of the people. If I take the steps I am considering what will the price be for those who are following me?<br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-82751282319197925942014-11-19T01:41:00.001-08:002014-11-19T01:41:16.299-08:00Armed and Dangerous2 Samuel 22:40<br /><br />You are armed and dangerous.<br /><br />That which the Lord gives you is sufficient for the battle you will find yourself engaged in.<br /><br />David proclaims it, "I have been armed by God with strength for the fight." (BBE)<br /><br />There is a fight everyone of us must fight. Serving the Lord Jesus is enlistment into the army of God. The enemy of your soul will launch various attacks against you. However the good news is the Lord will always give you that which is sufficient. You have enough to win the battle.<br /><br />Not only does the Lord give you what you need but He also stands against your adversary. He makes low those who come against you. KJV says He subdues them before you. They must bow before you. Satan and his cohorts must submit before you.<br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-55748400910849361172014-11-19T01:40:00.002-08:002014-11-19T01:40:25.622-08:00Celebrating Friendship or When Friendship Returns Full CircleWho has been your friend in the past? What sort of kindness can you show to someone to celebrate that former friendship?<br /><br />Is there someone in your life that you can be their friend in the name of God? Who can you show an intentional act of kindness simply because you are the friend of God?<br /><br />When Jonathon befriended the shepherd boy he never dreamed that friendship would someday be the cause for a blessing on his family.<br /><br />I see two wonderful sides of this story. Like Jonathon as you become a friend of a nobody never underestimate what God may do with that friendship.<br /><br />Like David, never forget the kindness showed to you on "your way up." Find a way to return that kindness to others.<br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-73580816462631003812014-11-19T01:39:00.001-08:002014-11-19T01:39:35.335-08:00Turning the Hearts Back To God Again1 Kings 18:37 Give me an answer, O Lord, give me an answer, so that this people may see that you are God, and that you have made their hearts come back again.<br /><br />Turning the Hearts Back to God Again.<br /><br />Revival could be described as the invasion of a place by the Spirit of God, which causes the hearts of people to come back again to the Lord.<br /><br />Of course this is also a definition of repentance, the turning away from sin and turning to the Lord. I submit there is a definite connection between repentance and revival. <br /><br />This phrase also defines salvation and restoration which revival also includes.<br /><br />Additionally I am struck with the thought this phrase could describe intimacy. It describes those whose hearts were not close after God but now have become so.<br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-64744309659771123102014-11-19T01:38:00.001-08:002014-11-19T01:38:34.247-08:00A Religion of Convenience or a Religion Created by PoliticsJeroboam created a substitute system of worship for the people of Israel. His line of reasoning was "it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem." His public explanation for his substitute places of worship feigned a concern for the welfare of the people. It is not that Jeroboam believed these calves actually brought the people up out of Egypt. Rather they became the visible representation of God. He just made it easier for people to "worship God."<br /><br />I do not have the prerogative to establish the guidelines for worship. That belongs to God alone. A religion of convenience soon leads to backsliding. As verse 30 says "this thing became a sin." When I reduce the requirements God has established I do not serve the people. Rather I lead them into sin.<br /><br />The obligations in Christianity must not be determined by committee nor by opinion polls. I must seek to be obedient to the revelation of the Word of God.<br /><br />This was not the last time a politician sought to use religion to advance his own political agenda.<br /><br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-81778093923117351952014-11-19T01:20:00.003-08:002014-11-19T01:37:30.567-08:00Living to do the King's Work1 Chronicles 4:23<br />
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Whatever it is we are doing in life we must also understand we are living to do the King's work. Contextually this verse describes people whose employment was in the service of the king. These were the people who worked his fields and worked his pottery industry.<br />
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Employment is a part of life. God intended for us to be productive. The desire to produce has been placed inside of us by the Lord. But we exist for far more than that.<br />
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We are here "to do the King's work."<br />
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We know what the King's work is by the Word which He left us. We also know what His work is by His Spirit He placed within us.<br />
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It is good each day to ask the King what His work is for you on that day.Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-26865920426240644922014-11-19T01:19:00.003-08:002014-11-19T01:19:55.132-08:00Fearing God, loving gods2 Kings 17:33 “They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.”<br />
<br />The mixed group of people whom the kings of Assyria had placed in Israel (Samaria) "feared" the Lord but "served" the gods of their ancestors or the gods of the nations they had come out of. At some level acknowledgement was made to the Lord God but in their hearts they continued to live for their old gods. Matthew Henry observes they "worshipped the God of Israel for fear and their own idols for love." Treasury of Scripture Knowledge observes "it is said that the Israelites 'did not fear the Lord,' yet the heathens, who followed their example, are said 'to have feared the Lord'." During revival we discovered that often religious people will reject what sinners will accept as truth.<br /><br /><br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-75912849103711643492014-11-19T01:18:00.000-08:002014-11-19T01:18:29.112-08:00A Fool's DeathDavid sings over Abner and calls his death the death of a fool. Abner, who was a wise man had actually died like a fool.<br /> <br />2 Samuel 3: 33 And the king made a song of grief for Abner and said, Was the death of Abner to be like the death of a foolish man?<br /> 34 Your hands were free, your feet were not chained: like the downfall of a man before evil men, so was your fall. And the weeping of the people over him went on again.<br /><br />Abner's death was called the death of a foolish man because he did not die in captivity. His hands were free and his feet were not in chains.<br /><br />Abner should not have died in the way he did. He did not die in battle as would have been expected and which would have been considered more noble. No, he died by deceit. But he also died of his own lack of wisdom, his own foolishness. He agreed to meet Joab without considering Joab would still be carrying a grudge over the death of his brother Asahel. For a man who was so knowledgeable in the ways of war and diplomacy he died as one who had broken all of the rules he knew.<br /><br />There is a spiritual application. Spiritual failure comes on many people in such a way to make them a fool. Sin overcomes us even though our hands are free and our feet are not in chains. Most people walk into sin and its consequences of their own accord.<br /><br />We knowingly run the risks. We allow ourselves to open to the risks of sin. We conduct ourselves like foolish people indeed. We place ourselves in harm's way. Satan does not have to trap us because we set ourselves up for failure.<br /><br />We let our guards down at the wrong time.<br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6631783659157315465.post-73364751896798298432014-11-19T01:17:00.002-08:002014-11-19T01:17:32.276-08:00Barbecue the Bull1 Kings 19:21<br /><br />“And he went back, and took the oxen and put them to death, and cooking their flesh with the yokes of the oxen, he gave the people a feast. Then he got up and went after Elijah and became his servant.”<br /><br />Elisha took a dramatic step to seal his commitment. He burned the oxen. He not only offered an offering to the Lord but he made it impossible to return to use the tools of his former life.<br /><br />Our commitments to the Lord need to be made without loopholes, escape hatches, and safety valves. Too many times we have started out spiritually with plans already made in the event this fails to work out. Conditional commitments rarely do. Unconditional surrender is a part of the walk with Jesus. Quit leaving the back door or a secluded window open as a way out. Just give it all to Jesus!<br /><br />It is time to barbecue the bull. Anybody got a match?<br />Michael Livengoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03017718008743941537noreply@blogger.com0