29 lines
4.7 KiB
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29 lines
4.7 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">May 18</div>
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<h2>Our Message in Ministry</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>Lest the <b>light</b> of the <b>gospel</b> of the <b>glory of Christ</b>, who is the image of God, should <b>shine</b> on them. For we do <b>not</b> preach <b>ourselves</b>, but <b>Christ Jesus the Lord</b>, and <b>ourselves</b> your <b>servants</b> for <b>Jesus'</b> sake.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',4,4);">2 Corinthians 4:4b-5</a>)</div>
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<p>The enemy of men's souls wants to keep perishing people in spiritual blindness. <i>"But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to <b>those who are perishing</b>, whose <b>minds</b> the <b>god</b> of this <b>age</b> has <b>blinded</b>, who do <b>not believe</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',4,'3-4');">2 Corinthians 4:3-4a</a>). This counterfeit god is working on all unbelievers (even as he formerly did with <i>us). "In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the <b>prince</b> of the <b>power</b> of the <b>air</b>, the spirit who <b>now</b> works <b>in</b> the sons of disobedience"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',2,2);">Ephesians 2:2</a>). His influence is so extensive. He works through every system (political, economic, educational, etc.) within the unbelieving world. <i>"The <b>whole world</b> lies under the <b>sway</b> of the <b>wicked one</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Jo',5,19);">1 John 5:19</a>). The primary purpose of Satan's blinding activities is to keep those in darkness from seeing God's light: <i>"Lest the <b>light</b> of the <b>gospel</b> of the <b>glory of Christ</b>, who is the image of God, should <b>shine</b> on them."</i></p>
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<p>Into this dark and blinded world, we come with the message of light: <i>"the <b>light</b> of the <b>gospel</b> of the <b>glory of Christ</b>."</i> Only the light of Jesus can overcome spiritual darkness. Our Lord proclaimed this wondrous remedy: <i>"<b>I am</b> the <b>light</b> of the world. He who follows Me shall <b>not</b> walk in <b>darkness</b>, but have the <b>light</b> of <b>life</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',8,12);">John 8:12</a>). When the light of Jesus shines into man's darkness, it brings liberating life from God. Paul was sent out with this great gospel: <i>"To <b>open</b> their <b>eyes</b> and to turn them from <b>darkness</b> to <b>light</b>, and from the power of <b>Satan</b> to <b>God</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act',26,18);">Acts 26:18</a>).</p>
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<p>We are also sent out as vessels of light. <i>"<b>You</b> are the <b>light</b> of the world"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat',5,14);">Matthew 5:14</a>). We are light, because Jesus (the true light) lives in, and can shine through, each of us. <i>"For you <b>were</b> once <b>darkness</b>, but <b>now</b> you are <b>light in the Lord</b>. <b>Walk</b> as children of <b>light</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',5,8);">Ephesians 5:8</a>). We can show forth our Lord in <b>deed</b> and in <b>word</b>. As we <b>follow</b> Jesus, His glorious light shines through us. As we <b>speak</b> of Jesus, we declare His glorious majesty.</p>
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<p>Remember, the light of the gospel is about the <b>glory</b> of <b>Jesus</b>: <i>"The <b>light</b> of the <b>gospel</b> of the <b>glory</b> of <b>Christ</b>."</i> Our message is not about us. <i>"For we do <b>not</b> preach <b>ourselves</b>, but <b>Christ Jesus the Lord</b>, and <b>ourselves</b> your <b>servants</b> for <b>Jesus'</b> sake."</i> We are but His servants. He is our message. He is the Lord <b>over all</b>. Thus, He is able to save <b>from all</b> that blinds and binds.</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord of glory, I praise You for Your glory. I thank You for bringing me the light of life. O Lord, may Your glory shine in my walk and my words. Please make my message about Your glory, not about my flesh, in Your holy name, Amen.</div>
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